THIS™ was founded in June 2019 by ex-meat fanatics Andy Shovel and Pete Sharman as a plant-based food brand for meat-lovers. They previously ran a successful burger business and sold it after deciding their next business would have sustainability at its core. Andy oversees the creative side of things at THIS™ and channels his creativity into driving brand awareness. He has always been passionate about entrepreneurship, setting up his first business in recruitment fresh out of university. He believes plant-based food plays an essential role in changing our food system for the better.
Archives: Speakers
Cliff Johnson
As both a personal investor and leading a fund in the plant-based space, Cliff has been exposed to the significant changes in the market over the past five years. With a diverse background in Finance and Accounting, both in multi-national corporations and start-ups, Cliff is able to support a non-traditional approach to mission driven investing that Veg Capital brings, raising the bar for other investors within and outside the space. He enjoys working with aligned founders and putting his efforts and resources toward SDG focused solutions to climate change and ending animal cruelty.
Richard Gibson
Richard Gibson currently serves as the Senior FS Marketing Manager at Xpedition, a leading Microsoft Business Solutions Partner and one of only a handful of Microsoft Inner Circle members in the UK. Having joined Xpedition in 2021, Richard specialises in building and delivering value propositions and go-to-market strategies. His focus is on leveraging Xpedition‘s expertise alongside Microsoft technologies to help firms accelerate digital transformation. Richard’s strategies aim to ensure clients are positioned to exceed customer expectations and deliver superior outcomes through the use of Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Copilot generative AI, and intelligent agents
Alex Gilbert
Alex has worked within the Digital Health industry alongside healthcare, pharmaceutical, medical device
and tech organisations. He joined Huma as one of their first employees and leads their global MedTech
practice. Huma is Europe’s fastest-growing health organisation, having raised over 250 Million in funding
to date whilst partnering with the likes of Smith & Nephew, Boston Scientific, Bayer, Stanford,
AstraZeneca and many more. His passion is the use of technology to empower and engage the patient to
take control of their care.”
Rudolf Wagner
Rudolf is a detail-oriented and company success-focused leader with over 15 years of experience
overseeing all aspects of operations management, quality, and regulatory compliance management,
team leadership, and relationship building within a fast-paced environment. He is dedicated to
overseeing the development and submission of all regulatory applications to the FDA and other
international regulatory bodies. Throughout his leadership roles, he played a critical role in company
growth by devising and implementing effective strategies while providing excellent services to existing
and new clients.
Sonja van Renssen
Editor in chief Sonja van Renssen is an experienced Brussels-based journalist and conference moderator, who has written for leading energy and climate titles including S&P Global Platts and Nature Climate Change.
Jon Burton
Joe Hill
Mike and Joe here, the father & son team livin’ the plant-based dream. We’ve been vegans for a loooong time, way before oat milk was even a thing. We’re also both obsessed with pizza.
Back in 2016 we had this crazy idea: make unbelievably tasty vegan pizza that’s better for people and the Planet!
Now we’re on a mission to save the world one slice at a time.
Mike Hill
Mike and Joe here, the father & son team livin’ the plant-based dream. We’ve been vegans for a loooong time, way before oat milk was even a thing. We’re also both obsessed with pizza.
Back in 2016 we had this crazy idea: make unbelievably tasty vegan pizza that’s better for people and the Planet!
Now we’re on a mission to save the world one slice at a time.
Christopher Kong
Chris is the CEO & Co-Founder of Better Nature – Europe’s leading tempeh brand. Made using an ancient fermentation process, tempeh is an all-natural, nutritious and sustainable plant-based protein. With its proprietary IP, Better Nature makes delicious and nutritious meat-free products using tempeh.
Since its launch in 2020, Better Nature has grown 196% YoY. With a recent launch into 500 REWE stores and having secured a listing with TESCO, Better Nature is poised to be Europe’s go-to tempeh brand.