Rob has wide experience that spans from running one of the largest commercial soft fruit farms in the UK to product design and innovation (patenting the first commercially available hydroponics field scale strawberry growing system) to creating, building and selling businesses all ranging from grocery retail and wholesale distribution; food and drink CPG and FoodTech.

In 2009, Rob took a world study tour to research innovation in grocery retail and food and beverage as a Nuffield Farming Research Scholar. He co-founded the world’s first CPG Seed investment Accelerator for the food industry. Exiting the business in 2019, he founded Forward Food Tech to ensure that agri-foodtech brands have fully developed their commercial proposition and are investor-ready.

Rob is also a Dealmaker at the UK government's Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP).

Damian describes himself as a ‘quintessential rural professional’. From paddock to plate - he’s either grown it or raised it, processed it, commercialised it and, of course, consumed it.

An intentionally curious (experience driven) mix of hands-on practical primary sector production and agribusiness spanning revenue and business development in agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness, education, media, data and financial farm software in NZ, UK and the Pacific. 

Previously in Kellog’s Rural Leadership Programme - NZ, Volunteer Service Abroad - NZ, an ex Trustee of Agri-Women’s Development Trust - NZ and an award winning journalist.