SageTech Medical’s co-founders Sebastian Brown and Mark Rushworth, along with Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Peter Ford, feature on this BBC Spotlight news segment about the company’s innovative waste volatile anaesthetic agent capture and recycling technology.
Matt joined SageTech Medical in July 2017, bringing with him over 20 years of experience as a practicing veterinary surgeon, with a broad understanding of, and experience in, the use of volatile anaesthetic agents.
Matt’s primary role is to lead the development and management of relationships with key local and global parties that SageTech Medical interact with. However, his role has been relatively broad during the company’s initial growth. He has had the responsibility of liaising with anaesthetists, hospital management and other healthcare professionals during the initial launch of our waste volatile anaesthetic gas capture device in pilot hospital sites across the UK. He has also played a crucial part in the practical development of the device design, working closely with anaesthetic machine builders to ensure that SageTech Medical complies from a functional, safety and regulatory perspective.
“Recognising the environmental impact my own surgical career has had, and wanting to make a difference to future generations are the main reasons that I joined SageTech Medical. I enjoy working in an environment where innovative thinking is encouraged and where the team demonstrates resilience along with determination to deliver solutions. I believe this technology has the potential to significantly decrease the carbon footprint of anaesthesia in clinical practice.”
Iain joined SageTech Medical in November 2019, bringing with him a PhD in Chemistry, nearly 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and 10 years of experience in the role of CEO.
As the CEO of SageTech Medical, Iain is fundamental in ensuring that the business is a commercial and environmental success by setting the objectives and strategy of the business, leading and supporting the team in achieving its goals and leading the culture and integrity of the business by example.
“I was drawn to the scientific challenge of capturing waste anaesthetic gas and recycling it back into a pharmaceutical grade product, which is no mean feat! Even though I have worked in the pharmaceutical sector for many years, I had not appreciated the environmental damage caused around the world by releasing these agents into the atmosphere and SageTech Medical gave me the opportunity to contribute to the global response to our changing climate.
It has been exciting to be involved in the process of developing a start up into a commercial business, and the team at SageTech Medical is second to none. They’re all great fun to work with and are incredibly resourceful and creative – it is humbling!”
Luke joined SageTech Medical in June 2021 and brings with him over 20 years of commercial experience in medical device and equipment sales and marketing.
As the Head of Commercial, Luke is responsible for commercialising SageTech Medical from its early development as an R&D company into a global medical device and services business. He also supports product development from both a clinical and commercial standpoint, and has the responsibility of working with customers, institutions and organisations to raise awareness of the company’s volatile gas capture and recycling solutions.
“The green ethos of SageTech Medical and an opportunity to deliver innovative solutions to support the human and veterinary healthcare sectors’ mission to decarbonise is what drew me to the join the business.”
Liam joined SageTech Medical in October 2021, and brings with him over 20 years of combined experience in the clinical, commercial, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. During his career, he has worked as an Operating Department Practitioner and is also ABPI Qualified.
As the Head of Business Development for SageTech Medical, Liam is responsible for B2B project management, clinically and commercially supporting product development, networking with potential customers, institutions and procurement authorities and engaging in meetings and exhibitions to raise awareness of the company’s volatile gas capture and recycling technology.
“SageTech Medical seemed like a natural career progression, from clinically using volatile anaesthetics in theatre and selling volatile agents and anaesthetic machines, to volatile anaesthetic agent capture. Using all of my previous experience, knowledge and passion for anaesthesia to support sustainable anaesthesia seemed like the right fit for me!”
Steve joined SageTech Medical in January 2016, bringing with him a multi-disciplinary background and many years of experience across a range of sectors including financial and business management. He has worked closely with the company’s founders from the initial stages and has played a vital role in managing the research and development programme to create SageTech Medical’s innovative technology.
As the Head of Research at SageTech Medical, Steve drives development in the key areas of analytical, engineering and quality research. His unique experience at SageTech Medical puts him in a position to coordinate and manage progress across all areas of the company.
“As the company’s first full-time employee, I was involved in the conceptual stages and early development which was a very exciting period. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to work for a company that was developing an innovative green technology in the healthcare sector.”
Darren joined SageTech Medical in November 2020, bringing with him over 35 years of experience in engineering. During his career, he has accrued an extensive knowledge of product design and manufacture, quality and procurement and line management.
As the Head of Engineering for SageTech Medical, Darren is responsible for the design, development and delivery of engineering solutions for the company’s innovative waste volatile gas capture and recovery systems, as well as managing the product development and driving the manufacturing of the technology.
“I was excited to join an enthusiastic team and to be given the opportunity to help to transform SageTech Medical from a start-up into a successful company, whilst developing processes and products that are new, inspired and green.”
Su joined SageTech Medical’s Quality Control Department as the Regulatory Compliance Lead in December 2020, and brings over 30 years of experience working in both the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Having previously worked in a medical device testing laboratory, she has worked closely with the various regulatory authorities.
Her role as Regulatory Compliance Lead means that she is responsible for ensuring the company’s obedience to necessary and relevant laws and regulations that are applicable to the nature of the business. She also oversees and maintains SageTech Medical’s Quality Management System.
“What attracted me to SageTech Medical was the fact that the company was working to significantly reduce the impact of volatile anaesthetic agents on the environment. The opportunity to work with a such an innovative team also had a great appeal.”
Mel joined SageTech Medical in 2016, bringing with her a PhD in pharmacology and a 30 year career in pharmaceutical and clinical research in pharmacy, oncology and anaesthesia, which included running a dedicated bioanalytical analysis laboratory.
Her role as Head of Quality Control means that she contributes to ensuring that the Quality Control Department is run according to all applicable regulatory standards, from method development and validation, to product development through to finished product release. This includes stability studies, audit, and the preparation and authorisation of documentation and results.
“After collaborating with one of the company’s founders in anaesthesia research, I was offered the exciting opportunity to be involved in our first proof of concept studies. I have been at SageTech Medical since day one and am proud to be playing a part in helping to sustain our planet!”
Leslie joined SageTech Medical in August 2018 and is an FCCA/FMAAT qualified finance professional who brings more than 30 years of knowledge and experience to the business. She has worked across many industries and organisations, from large household brand names through to SME’s, including start up and mid-cycle R&D businesses. She brings a broad range of relevant experience to SageTech Medical that includes budgeting, forecasting, corporate finance, project costing, audit, tax and contract negotiation.
As the Financial Controller of SageTech Medical, Leslie is responsible for financial reporting, tax, financial management and compliance, grants and state aid applications and also administration and company secretarial and governance.
“I was excited by SageTech Medical’s green credentials and the groundbreaking change that the company was striving towards in relation to lowering carbon emissions. I was keen to play a part in the company’s journey and be part of this passionate and enthusiastic team.”
Hannah joined SageTech Medical in May 2022. With over 10 years of experience in marketing, videography, photography and design, she was bought on board to support the commercialisation of SageTech Medical and to increase customer engagement.
As the Marketing & Communications Associate for SageTech Medical, Hannah is responsible for maintaining, managing and developing the company’s social media platforms and online presence. She works with the Head of Commercial in customer communication, lead generation and sales as well as event organisation and the production of marketing materials and collateral.
“I was drawn to the prospect of working for an innovative, green company. Being part of the journey of commercialising a new technology that will make such a positive impact on carbon emissions and the environment felt like an exciting opportunity.”
Richard joined SageTech Medical in November 2022, having previously accumulated 35 years of experience in mechanical designing, computer-aided design modelling and engineering.
His responsibilities within the company centre around the on-going design, research, building and testing of SageTech Medical’s innovative technology to improve the mechanical elements and overall functionality of the machines.
“I had no idea that 95% of anaesthetic is released into the atmosphere as waste. It’s brilliant to be part of a great team that has developed a solution to this problem by capturing and recycling this gas.”
Jack joined SageTech Medical in April 2022 and has over 15 years of combined experience in the oil and gas sector, the nanotechnology/semiconductor market and the consumer products sector.
Jack’s role as Senior Electrical Development Engineer involves designing and developing the electrical aspects of the company’s volatile anaesthetic agent capture and recycling technology. This includes working on the SID-Docks, the extraction machines and product testing rigs.
“I was excited by the unique opportunity to work at a company that is fighting to be at the forefront of something green and something better for future of this planet.”
Jonathan joined SageTech Medical in March 2021 and has over 15 years of experience in accounting and finance and is a member of CIMA and a fellow member of the AAT. He has worked in various service and manufacturing businesses including underfloor heating, water related mechanical and electrical services and construction.
As the company’s Accountant, Jonathan is responsible for producing monthly accounts for review by the business managers, processing supplier invoices, paying suppliers and assisting the Financial Controller in other necessary tasks.
“SageTech Medical gave me the opportunity to be part of a business that was built around green technology. I was excited to add to my experience and join a company with a future focus.”
Stuart joined SageTech Medical in July 2022 and brings over 20 years of combined experience in engineering, mechanics, micro electronics and welding.
His role within the company is to control the operational activities associated with SageTech Medical’s technology including assemblies, processes, modifications, and performance analysis to ensure optimised efficiency within operations.
“SageTech Medical appealed to me due to their ethos on helping the environment through sustainability. I was excited by the opportunity to put my experience and knowledge into helping further develop their technology and operating processes.”
Calum joined SageTech Medical in February 2022 and brings with him a PhD in Chemistry and almost 10 years of experience in his respective field. He also has several years of experience within the emission abatement and air quality industries.
His role within the company involves the development and testing of adsorbate materials for the capture of volatile anaesthetic agents.
“I felt that SageTech Medical presented me with an exciting opportunity to work for a company that was focused on improving the environment, whilst offering an attractive business model for the healthcare industry.”
Iain joined SageTech Medical in November 2019 and brings with him extensive experience in the pharmaceutical world, most recently as CEO for AIM-listed veterinary pharmaceutical company, Animalcare Group plc. As CEO at Animalcare, Iain tripled shareholder value between 2013 and 2017, growing market capitalisation to £90m. He led the successful reverse acquisition of a private Belgian company to create a pan-European veterinary pharmaceutical company, winning AIM Transaction of the Year Award 2017.
John is an experienced business professional and qualified accountant. After completing an MBA, John moved into management consultancy and progressed to partner in charge of the developing services consultancy division in Coopers Deloitte (now PWC). He left the firm to create a private hotel group in North America, then took on the role of vice chairman of Laura Ashley Inc. based in Boston, USA, with a worldwide remit for restructuring, cost reduction and business turnaround, and is currently Executive Chairman of NetScientific PLC.
Chairman and Managing Director of Vickers Oils, Peter is the 5th generation of the Vickers family to lead the Leeds-based family-run company. Vickers Oils is the market leader worldwide for high-performance, environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) for the food processing, textile and marine industries. Peter brings his expertise and knowledge of seizing opportunity in regulatory change, following a change to the Vessel General Permit in the US in 2013 that mandated the use of EALs for all commercial ships operating in US waters, as well as industry wide sustainability initiatives.
Mark co-founded SageTech Medical in 2015 to transform the global environmental impact of anaesthesia. He led the company from an idea on paper to an award-winning business, raising over £3m in grant and equity funding to finance the development of the technology. Mark sits on the Board as a Non-executive Director, supporting with strategy and governance, and bringing his unique ability to provide a creative contribution to Deep Tech management.
Guy is a founding Director of Legal UK and is Chair of the British and Irish Legal Information Institute, the Bingham Centre Development Board and the City Music Services. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Imperial College Business School and an Advisory Board Member at Spencer Stuart. His first career was as a corporate lawyer and between 2000 to 2008 he was Senior Partner of Allen & Overy. He then chaired UK Export Finance (the UK’s export credit agency) from 2010 to 2017.
Ana joined SageTech Medical in May 2022 and has several years of experience in biology and laboratory work as well as GMP regulations and quality control of pharmaceutical products.
Within her role, Ana assists in the maintenance and management of the Quality Management System and the Laboratory Management System, as well as helping with the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
“Working at SageTech Medical seemed like an amazing opportunity to make a difference and to help preserve the environment. It’s exciting to be a part of a solution that will mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases, not only from an individual effort but at a much larger scale.”
Pete joined SageTech Medical in July 2021 having previously accrued 22 years of experience in mechanical designing and engineering, computation fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and aircraft maintenance.
His main role within the company is to design solutions to on-going and new product directions, from initial problem identification to design, build and testing.
“SageTech Medical seemed like a new and interesting company which I felt would give me the ability to be involved in all aspects of the company and to also see a project through from start to finish. This, while all the time having a positive impact on the planet, made SageTech Medical seem like a great fit for me.”
