Bernard Sleijster is a dynamic entrepreneur and consultant with a passion for sustainability and wellbeing. Bernard graduated from the Entrepreneurship College in Amsterdam and studied marketing. He started his career at an Amsterdam stock brokerage firm and spent about 15 years thereafter in the field of project finance. More recently he worked as a consultant for SMEs with the structuring and marketing of (new) business models and attracting finance, mainly in the field of clean technologies and renewable energy.

Bernard is a founder and the managing director of Urban Farms Capital and a key player in the creation of the marketing strategy and ongoing business development. Inspired by the idea of a cruelty-free world and with a strong passion for helping others, he has recently founded a charity for children in need.

Leen has been a recognised international leader with over 25 years of experience in technology and sustainability. As a founder of more than 20 different companies in the fields of AI, VR, renewable energy, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, Leen has extensive C-level and Boardroom experience. As the Founder and Chairman of B Lab Europe, Leen has facilitated the certification of over 800 European companies as B Corp and oversaw the creation of the largest global organisation of sustainable companies. In addition to his continuing presence on the Board of B Lab Europe, Leen comes to Urban Health Farms from his position as the Chairman of the Board of Bolesian AI, helping to rebuild and guide the company to become a leading AI firm with a focus on AI for Good. Maintaining that focus throughout his distinguished career, Leen holds a Masters in Quantitative Business Economics and a Postdoctoral in Accountancy, both from Erasmus University. Leen’s style of leadership, which brings fun and happiness to the workplace, is an energising addition to the Urban Health Farms Team.

In addition to owning and operating a walnut farm in the south of France – a passion that turned into a lifestyle – Leen is the bestselling author of five different books on sustainability and business management and a recent TEDx speaker. The newest book, Once Upon a Future, was published in March of 2020 to critical and commercial acclaim..

Jooseop Park is the agronomist and operator of the UHF Research & Demonstration Farms, where he will utilise the equipment, technology and knowledge of our growing partners. With an MSc in plant science from Wageningen University and Research, the number one ranked university in the field of Agriculture, Jooseop focused on plant physiology in greenhouses and vertical farms, with a major thesis on the effect of pre-harvest blue light treatment with different light intensities on plant morphology and postharvest chilling tolerance of purple and green basil and a minor thesis on the effects of partial supplemental interlighting systems on yield and electricity use efficiency in greenhouse horticulture. He also completed a BSc in Horticultural Science from Chong-Nam National University where he secured an academic achievement scholarship to fund his research and education.

His experience includes being the Rural Development Manager for the Korea International Cooperation Agency where he used sustainable development aid to improve the economic states of rural villages in Myanmar, and as a Research Assistant in the Postharvest Lab at Chong-Nam University, in addition to being a self-propelled artillery squad leader in the Republic of Korea Army, learning the value of leadership skills. With his experience in laboratory work and cultivation practices in vertical farms, greenhouses and traditional field-grown produce, Jooseop is skilled at analyzing ideas and problem solving with strong intercultural communication. Goal oriented and with an entrepreneurial spirit, in his spare time, Mr. Park conducts lectures for the South Korean Ministry of Agriculture.

Mervyn comes to Urban Health Farms with nearly 20 years of management experience in leading FMCG corporations as well as in leading international, strategic and multi-disciplinary projects and teams. As Financial Director, he brings to the team an excellent track record of contributing to sustainable, top-line growth as well as bottom-line improvements, while simultaneously reducing risk and complexity.

Mervyn is a well-rounded finance executive with strategic background expertise in Financial Planning and Analysis, Revenue Management, Pricing, Forecasting, Internal Controls and Risk Management, and the support of high-performing teams. He is a true business partner who builds bridges across disciplines and is an excellent cultural connector.

With each of his past positions, Mervyn has progressively increased his level of responsibility and expertise, including being a Consultant with the caterer Pedevilla International, Head of Financial Planning and Analysis for HG International, VP of Commercial Finance with Elixxer, and a multitude of roles with British American Tobacco in Europe. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mervyn has been a Trustee/Board Member with the British American Tobacco The Netherlands Pension Fund. Mervyn holds an MSc in Business Administration from the Erasmus University and we welcome his focus on results and relationship-driven environments and his strong record of achieving operational targets and managing strategic agendas.

Benoît has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, with particular expertise in general management, advisory, compliance and risk management, internal controls, consultancy services, project management, financial business and auditing. With five different degrees from distinguished universities, Benoît is a creative and strategic thinker with a long track record of delivering results with a positive mind set and energy. Bringing excellent communication and management skills, Benoît’s deep and varied experience will be valuable in his role as Director to Urban Health Farms Finance.

Joining the Urban Health Farms team as Commercial Director, Joost Verhagen has over two decades of experience in the international food business industry and brings valuable expertise in simultaneously managing multiple operations across Europe while leading corporate development with innovative marketing strategies. Joost has spent the last decade as owner of Export Growth Consulting, an interim and consultancy firm specialising in sales and marketing in the global food business industry. He has held positions as an ad interim for several renowned (inter)national companies including as a Senior Category Manager for Jumbo (the second largest Dutch supermarket chain), Sales Director for John West/Thai Union (the largest canned fish producer in the world), International Sales Director at HG International (the European market leader in specialty cleaning), Export Manager Europe at De Traay (the Dutch market leader in honey products), and European Marketing Manager at Klaas Puul (the leading European shrimp producer).

Prior to his time at Export Growth Consulting, Joost gained experience in several managerial positions throughout the European food industry including Business Development Manager and Marketing Director of Patisserie for CSM France (where he spent two years as an expat living in France), Business Unit Director for CSM Benelux, and Key Account Manager Benelux and National Account Manager for Nestlé. In addition, Joost serves on the Board of de Kameleons, the biggest food business interim marketing and sales network organization in the Netherlands. He began his career with a Masters of Business Administration from Webster University, and an undergraduate degree in Commercial Economics from Hogeschool‘s-Hertogenbosch. Celebrated by his peers, including our own Managing Director Leen Zevenbergen, Joost’s passion and professionalism is a welcome addition to the Urban Health Farms team.

Andrés joins the Urban Health Farms team with over 20 years of experience in retail, logistics and as a trading executive and entrepreneur. This history led him to a renewed passion for sustainable business and economy, where he now is devoting his energy. With experience in general management of mid to large size companies, Andrés is an expert at the development of corporate culture, logistics implementation, business and product development, and business strategy for multiple startups. Before applying his skills to Urban Health Farms, Andrés was the CEO of the Smart Logistics Group, Chapter Chairman of the YPO Barcelona Chapter, and honorary former president of the Admirals Business Club network in Barcelona. .

Previous experience includes the role of Executive Logistics Manager in Walmart Mexico, a Board Member at Ethics Coffee, and the co-founder/CEO at both Smart Global Trading and Canastamex, both import/export companies within the food industry. With a diploma from Harvard University and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Andrés has a strong track record of achieving maximum benefits for shareholders with the best possible alternatives on transport companies, warehousing, brokers and insurances.

Jacques Bonnier began his career as a secondary school teacher at the Institute Sainte Marie Arlon and transferred into professional real estate and private equity funds in the early 1980s. Since then, Jacques has spent a distinguished career at such institutions as Kredietbank, Fortis Bank, Rabo Robeco and Fidupar.

Now, in his role as Director to Urban Health Farms Finance, Jacques brings a lot of expertise in directorships and corporate structures, including being an independent director. In addition to speaking French, Dutch, English and German, Jacques has a long history of financial planning, diagnostic process and in depth analysis in collaboration with external experts.

Frank is an international sales and marketing expert with over twenty years of experience creating new platforms for food companies in Europe. With a strong marketing background in new product development, brand building and an entrepreneurial mindset, Frank likes to orient his work towards focusing on the 4 p’s: people, planet, profit and prophecy.

From his time as the Commercial Director for GRO Mushrooms, Frank gained valuable experience in scaling up a startup foodtech and food retail company, from rebranding and launching the concept to leading the team to the next level. His outstanding work led Frank to be nominated for an ABN AMRO Food Circular Award in 2018, a prestigious award acknowledging individuals working to accelerate the circular economy in food retail and production.

With proficiency in three languages and an impressive working knowledge of Luxembourg corporate law, Miss Izzate Zeymoussi is an important addition to the Urban Health Farms team with her experience in corporate, banking and financial law. Izzate holds a Master of Business Law from the University of Metz and has taken an Oath and Final Exam with the Luxembourg Bar Registration. As the head of the legal department with Initium Corporate Services, she has wide experience with the fine print of legal regulations, contracts and agreements, and is proficient at setting up (unregulated) corporate entities and preparing shareholders meetings.

Rising through the ranks of several internationally acclaimed financial organizations, Ernest Ouwerkerk comes to Urban Health Farms as an expert in facilitating private equity transactions in addition to structuring, sourcing, and raising capital with his extensive global network. With over 25 years of experience in finance, investment services, operational compliance, fundraising and investment analysis, Ernest is a valuable addition to the Urban Health Farms team.

He brings with him specific experience in managing the investment vehicles of companies specialising in the natural resource industries and as a founder of a company providing non-executive directorships. Ernest holds a CAIA designation after passing both levels of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst program and a business degree in Financial Services from Amsterdam Academy.

Johan comes to Urban Health Farms with over 15 years of experience in financial markets, specialising in analysing and strategising the G10 markets. Johan has solid leadership skills and a strong academic background, with a Master of Economics degree from the University of Copenhagen and a degree from Universita Ca Foscari in Italy with a focus on financial econometrics.

Johan has extensive experience motivating and educating a sales force and communicating with the media and business partners, choosing to apply an analytical approach with clear communication. In addition to his vast experience creating fundamental, risk and trading models applicable across asset classes using his expertise in programming and financial software, Johan brings great empathy and positive mind set to our team.

Mark holds a degree in Environmental Diagnostics, with a postgraduate specialism in Renewable Energy Systems Technology from Cranfield University and Loughborough University respectively. He also earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Malta and first joined IEMA in 2005.

On the financial side of his qualifications, Mark also boasts a Certificate in Maltese Financial Regulation and an International Certificate in Wealth and Investment Management. Since 2002, Mark has worked in a wide range of advanced roles, putting forth his expertise to Process Engineering, Management, Environmental Consulting, PR, Operations, and C-Level Director positions.

Throughout this time, Mark has demonstrated impressive abilities when working with investment and operational strategies, as well as project management and set-ups, especially where the environment and eco-innovation are involved. Mark’s knowledge and expertise are well sought after, being brought in as a lecturer at the Institute of Health & Safety, the Institute of Legal Studies, and the Malta Excellence Consulting Bureau. As well as this, the EU Commission Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation has brought him on as an expert in the past.

Mira is leading the marketing team for Urban Health Farms and is an expert in maintaining effective communications, running and improving lead generation campaigns, measuring results and ensuring all relevant parties are kept informed of marketing objectives. Prior to joining the team, Mira worked in strategic business development and was a marketing manager in the renewable energy sector in several multinational companies.

In 2005, Mira was entrusted to run the marketing team of a U.S. based company in the Philippines and more than doubled the company’s client base by delivering exceptional customer service and sales. Working closely with management, she is exceptionally skilled at capturing clients from abroad and coordinating promotional efforts, especially those that expand the company’s reach. Mira holds a Business Administration degree and from the University of the Visayas, Philippines and is active in the renewable energy association.

Luciano joins the team with more than 15 years’ experience as a Financial Advisor, European Representative, and Business Development Manager for numerous international companies. His experience includes the identification and selection of assets for investment funds, private equity firms, and utility companies based in Europe and the USA.

His broad experience in projects and financing will help Urban Farms Capital to not only make the right contacts in Italy, but across Europe in order to source, develop, and finance farms, as well as to build a distribution infrastructure.

Danielle is the public relations lead for Urban Health Farms and has over 15 years experience in environmental communications. Joining the team with a strong background in both communications and science, Danielle holds a Master’s of Science in Forest Hydrology from Oregon State University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Natural Resource Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. As a copywriter specialising in communications for environmental and green businesses, Danielle has worked for clients all over the world and is an expert at creating and managing content to reflect sustainability goals and while successfully communicating those messages to the public.

Steffen has strong analytical skills and is an expert in strategic development, networking and communication with over 17 years of experience in the financial world. He brings with him a depth of experience in the financial industry from his years as a Client Advisor with UBS, DJE Kapital AG and Citigroup.

As the Portfolio Manager & Director for KB Asset Management for the last four years, Steffen had the important role to identify and sign new clients, determining the best investment strategy for each individual customer and was responsible for managing customer portfolios. Steffen earned a degree as a Certified Banker and has used that education and his vast experience to set up Sanderz Investments Ltd, as a vehicle for his personal worldwide investments, which include his partnership with Urban Farms Capital and Urban Health Farms.