The Team
Tim Williams
Managing Director
Tim
has a background in molecular biology, branched out into IT and was based in Japan for 17 years. Whilst there, Tim and his business partner were the first foreigners to IPO two companies on the Japan Stock Exchange. He returned to NZ in 2010 with the aim of investing in Kiwi technologies aimed at global good.
Neville Jones
General Manager
Business Development
Neville
has over 20 years experience working to assist innovative NZ companies with their global strategy to market. Neville has an extensive business network in many countries around the world.
Michael Maunsell
Chief
Operating Officer
Mike
has over 30 years in executive leadership positions spanning the health, telecommunications, civil infrastructure and technology sectors. He was recently Programme Director, City Rail Link Auckland Transport.
Simon Oakley
Chief
Technology Officer
Simon
has had a 30 year career in chemical engineering roles including process and product development, and project and engineering management. His recent focus has been on developing resource recovery technologies with start-up companies.
Alan McArdle
Director
Manufacturing Solutions
Alan
has over 30 years of commercial experience as Head of Global Manufacturing for Fisher & Paykel Appliances (now Haier Appliances), establishing and automating production plants globally.
Pip Spyksma
Head of People and Culture
Pip
has over 10 years of strategic data consulting into NZ's biggest businesses, and five years of diving into the highs and lows of startup operations and capital raising at a NZ tech startup and through people consulting. What ties all these together? A passion for removing the roadblocks that are standing in the way of business growth.
Prof. Matthew Watson
Advisor
Research & IP
Matt
is an academic leader at the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Canterbury. He is the author of patents and publications in the field of material science, and has successfully managed large scale, national R&D capital programme in Australasia, USA and Canada.
Dr Ibrar Hussain
Senior Research and Development Scientist
Ibrar
holds a PhD degree in chemistry from Germany and a business diploma from New Zealand. He has 14 years of experience in different chemistry roles including synthesis & characterization of bio-based polymers & polyurethane foams and bioactive compounds, analytical chemistry of oil and gas industry, and ISO certifications & audits. Currently, Ibrar works in the NILO R&D team to advance the chemical characterization of the waste plastic polymers for NILO’s binder technology.
Dr Minni Gorthy
Senior Research and Development Scientist
Minni
is a part of the waste plastic characterization team at NILO. Her focus is on using advanced analytical tools and methods to investigate the polymer-based binders being designed at NILO. With a PhD in materials science from the University of Canterbury and a Masters degree from the University of Cincinnati she has over 5 years of experience in materials characterization and design. She is passionate about applying the investigative techniques of forensic science to materials design and is also interested in patent analysis and intellectual property protection.
Adam Berry
Senior Research and Development Scientist
Adam
has worked 20 years in the chemical industry in both account management and product development roles across Australasia and Europe. He is particularly interested in polymer structure/property relationships.
Aaron Dixon
Business and Systems
Improvement Lead
Aaron
has over eight years of experience in system and process development at New Zealand's largest e-commerce warehouse, he brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the table. Since September 2023, he has been a key member of the NILO team, contributing significantly to defining and refining business processes. His expertise in streamlining operations and implementing efficient systems plays a crucial role at NILO.
Aditya Rudrakar
Technical Lead
Mechanical Engineering
Adi
has worked at NILO since 2019 after graduating from The Auckland University with an MEngSt (Hons)-Mechanical. At NILO he is part of the Mechanical Engineering workstream contributing to the Engineering requirements around the facility. He also is highly involved with the R&D activity, product and process development while managing Health & Safety needs.
Daniel Strong
Research and Development Scientist
Daniel
has worked at NILO since October 2023 after completing his degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering (Hons) at the University of Auckland. He enjoys exploring the pathway of creating ideas into practical applications. Daniel is a member of the NILO R&D team working on developing and enhancing the chemical formulations for producing the NILO wood-fibre board binder.
Flynn Parrish
Research and Development Scientist
Flynn
holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Medicinal Chemistry and a Master of Science in Chemistry, both conferred by the University of Auckland. Motivated by his research pursuits in the realms of green and synthetic chemistry, Flynn embarked on his professional journey with NILO in October 2023. He is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency of wood binders through the incorporation of innovative green chemical techniques throughout the entirety of the production process.
Joseph Hong
Research and Development Scientist
Joseph
has worked at NILO since finishing his degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering (Hons) from the University of Auckland in May 2022. His passions lie in exploring new ideas and contributing to innovative solutions. At NILO, he is part of the chemical R&D workstream contributing to the ongoing development of the NILO WFB binder.
Mark Duncan
Mechanical Technician
Mark
brings extensive experience in mechanical engineering, specializing in fitting, turning, and welding, to his role. With a hands-on approach and a focus on innovative problem-solving, he has transitioned from technical roles into managerial positions, where his strong knowledge of health and safety policies, as well as crew management on both workshop and large-scale construction sites, has been crucial. His expertise in research, design, and development, combined with a practical understanding of fast-paced, high-pressure environments, drives his commitment to contribute long-term to the company's success.
Mike van Wyk
Mechanical Engineer
Mike
brings a rich background in engineering from the medical device and energy sectors to NILO, where he contributes to Research & Development, design, and project engineering. His experience in innovative design and product development plays a critical role in NILO's mission to repurpose plastic waste into valuable products and resources.
Niko Forlong
Research and Development Scientist
Niko
has worked at Nilo since April 2023 after finishing his Bachelor of Science (Hons) from the University of Auckland, where his research focused around organic/inorganic synthesis. Niko is a member of the NILO R&D team working as a polymer chemist to develop and improve binders for the wood-fibre board product.
Rory Bessell
Research and Development Scientist
Rory
graduated from the University of Auckland in 2021 with a BE(Hons) in Chemical & Materials Engineering and began working at NILO in 2023. Combining a passion for sustainability with critical thinking and expertise, he operates within the chemical R&D workstream, contributing to the development of the NILO WFB binder and process.
Ryan Tan
Research and Development Scientist
Ryan
began his journey at NILO after earning his Honours degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering from the University of Auckland in 2023. Deeply committed to sustainability, Ryan's interest lies in the utilisation of waste streams to produce valuable materials. At NILO, he is part of the chemical R&D workstream, where he contributes to the ongoing development of the NILO WFB binder and process.
.jpg)
Finn Campbell
Research and Development Scientist
Finn
began his journey with us after earning a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Chemistry degree, specializing in organic synthesis and analytical chemistry. With a passion for precision and innovation, Finn focuses on research in the development and improvement of organic binders for use in wood fibre boards. Currently, Finn contributes to cutting-edge projects in chemical R&D, utilizing his expertise to drive new developments in sustainable materials and chemical processes.
