The advisory board consists of renowned international business experts from diverse backgrounds

Dr. Farid Khan, BSc, MSc, PhD(Cantab).

Dr. Farid Khan is a remarkable bio-medtech entrepreneur and innovator, who obtained his PhD in protein folding from the University of Cambridge and previously worked for GlaxoSmithKline in drug discovery. He has developed technologies and therapies for diseases in the developed and the developing world.

In 2010, he founded his first biotech, Protein Technologies (http://www.protein-technologies.com) which developed novel biologics, biostimulants from microalgae, and industrial biocatlylsts. In 2012, Dr. Khan founded Pharmakure Ltd-a spin out from The University of Manchester (http://www.pharmakure.com)- which has developed drugs for Alzheimer's Disease.

More recently, he founded eLucid mHealth Ltd (https://www.elucid-mhealth.com), which measures medication adherence using a Bluetooth electronic pill dispensers- which is being trialed by the NHS and obtained Series A funding from Catapult Ventures. He has recently published on the discovery of new repurposed drugs for malaria and a number of rare diseases such as alkaptonuria (or 'black bone disease' which has no current treatment) and Multiple Systems Atrophy (a neurological disease).

He has secured £multi-million funds from private and public sources, formed key interdisciplinary collaborations with industry, academic institutions and charities (such as the Welcome Trust) including stakeholders in the UK's healthcare agenda. A visionary leader and respected scientist, with deep knowledge in the biotech industry. In 2013 Dr. Khan was awarded an Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Salford, in recognition of his work in science and engineering and 2014, he was awarded the Fazlur Rahman Khan award for excellence in engineering/science/technology by Prime Minister David Cameron. Dr. Khan has been interviewed by Bloomberg, The Guardian and the BBC and by a number of peer reviewed journals. In 2019, Dr. Khan formed Chief AI, a company focused on finding repurposed drugs using AI which has received InnovateUK and seed funding. In June, 2019, Dr. Khan was included in the top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech-a definitive list by Diversity UK in association with KPMG.

Zia

Zia is a UK based entrepreneur involved in a range of businesses from cutting edge IT hardware/software development to marketing/distribution. After studying Biotechnology at UMIST (now Manchester University) in 1986-89, He completed diplomas in International Law, Marketing & Trade & Payments. He achieved a senior position at Neville Investment Group, a merchant bank based in Hagley Road, Birmingham. During this period he also set up a small very profitable Commercial Insurance Brokerage in Partnership with Municipal General (a Lloyds of London syndicated Insurer).

Zia gained many years experience in international finance working as a private consultant, successfully applying for grant aid and soft loans from the European Regional Development Fund for blue chip companies & negotiating with various tiers of the UK local/central government for financial assistance for industry. He was heavily involved in the implementation of BS5750 (ISO 9000) for more than twenty companies in the manufacturing sector.

Zia has extensively traveled in his capacity as a board member of two NGO's. Building partnerships between EU Industry and Various Beaurocracies. He has managed SME's in Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt & Dubai. Through his experience and travel he has developed an extensive network of relationships with a number of high net worth individuals and corporations in the middle/far east.

Having successfully set up and invested in various successful enterprises from energy to Information technology infrastructure, Zia has developed an empathic ability to understand the pitfalls of start ups and SME's, a vital requirement to successful investment funding.

Bastiaan Van Gent

Bastiaan Van Gent has over 25 years of international experience in multinational corporations have extensive experience in strategic analysis, managing capital projects, M&A, real estate infrastructure, joint venture tax, and financial structures.

He is the Vice President of the EUCNC (EU - China Special Economic and Cultural Commission ), responsible for overseeing EU operations and developing and supporting new business opportunities for China's state-owned and private-owned enterprises.

Bastiaan founded Global Peoples Media Inc, for the production, promotion, and creation of motion pictures and television programs, advisory services for selected individuals and state entities, specifically for airing at Chinese Television such as BTV and CCTV, as well as an agent for NBC Universal for China.

Previously he was co owner- an investor of the biggest private mortgage lender in The Netherlands and long-time Real Estate developer in The Netherlands and Spain.

Jeremy

Jeremy is a seasoned C-Level Executive Manager having built four businesses from inception and holding extensive business experience in Asia.

Jeremy manages a specialist advisory group focused on development of Knowledge Based Sustainable Trade Zones globally. He is also the Managing Director and Founder of the One Asia Group, a company incorporated in Indonesia, Singapore and United Kingdom to provide advisory services to governments and enterprises wishing to enhance their business in Asia. He was resident in Indonesia from 1994 until 2016, with one year in Perth Australia, and is currently resident in the United Kingdom.

Jeremy is the UK Honorary Overseas Board representative of the British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, and also a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Richard Webb MBE

Richard Webb MBE was a career diplomat from 1965 to 2003 in Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service, with extensive experience assisting UK exporters to market their products / services in overseas markets, not only in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), London, but also in Russia, the Far East, West Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Australasia.