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Claude Agbor – Financial Director

Claude Agbor is a results-driven finance professional with extensive experience in financial control, reporting, and process optimization across international organizations. As Financial Director, he oversees accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance, and corporate control, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and alignment with strategic objectives.

Claude has held key roles as Group Controller and Financial Analyst, managing budgets, forecasts, consolidations, and board-level reporting. He brings strong expertise in IFRS compliance, capital project control, and financial operations, combined with hands-on experience in ERP systems such as SAP, NetSuite, and Power BI.

With a Six Sigma certification and a focus on continuous improvement, Claude is dedicated to streamlining financial processes and enhancing operational efficiency. His ability to translate complex financial data into clear insights supports informed decision-making and sustainable business growth.

Ehsan Davarynejad – Technical Manager

Ehsan Davarynejad is a Controlled Environment Specialist and Sensor Systems Engineer with a strong background in vertical farming, smart greenhouse automation, and data-driven crop optimization. With MSc-level training in Smart Systems Engineering and Horticultural Science, he combines plant physiology knowledge with advanced expertise in sensor networks, IoT integration, and control systems.

Ehsan has designed and deployed large-scale sensor infrastructures, integrating environmental monitoring, irrigation control, and automated climate systems to optimize production performance. His work includes developing predictive models, machine vision systems, and real-time monitoring pipelines to improve crop health and yield.

With hands-on experience in both research and commercial environments, he bridges the gap between biology and technology – translating complex data into practical, scalable farming solutions.

Marco van Wel  – COO

Marco van Wel is an experienced director, entrepreneur, and consultant with over 20 years in the top tier of the Dutch consulting market. Educated at Nyenrode Business Universiteit, he combines strategic insight with hands-on leadership gained in international environments. He has built and scaled businesses across corporates and PE/VC-backed scale-ups, working closely with leadership teams and investors to drive sustainable growth.

As COO of Indoor Vertical.Farm, Marco is responsible for translating vision into execution. He focuses on building strong partnerships, ensuring operational excellence, and delivering projects with reliability and low risk. His work supports the global transition to advanced Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), making fresh, nutritious food accessible regardless of geography or climate.

Marco is particularly committed to strengthening food security in the Caribbean, helping reduce reliance on fragile supply chains while aligning operational performance with long-term value creation.

Roy van den Elsaker – Commercial Manager

Roy van den Elsaker is a commercially driven professional with a strong entrepreneurial background in business development, strategy, and market positioning. As Commercial Manager, he focuses on building strategic partnerships, driving growth, and translating market opportunities into scalable business results.

Roy brings hands-on experience as a founder, where he led go-to-market strategies, managed international partnerships, and built commercial operations from concept to execution. He has a strong track record in market research, pricing strategy, and contract negotiations, combined with a natural ability to build long-term relationships with clients and partners.

With a background in Commercial Economics and Marketing Management, Roy combines analytical thinking with a practical, results-oriented mindset. His energy, adaptability, and focus on value creation make him a key driver in expanding market presence and supporting the company’s growth ambitions.

Jason Paul – Barbados Operations Manager

Jason Paul is the Barbados Operations Manager at Indoor Vertical.Farm, where he oversees local operations and supports the deployment of container farms and food security initiatives across the island. With more than a decade of agricultural and operational experience, Jason combines hands-on farming knowledge with strong organizational and analytical skills.

He previously worked as Farm Supervisor at Tasty Treat Farms, managing production schedules, crop care, inventory, and quality control. His background also includes aquaponics farming and supplying fresh produce to leading retailers in Barbados, giving him a practical understanding of both production and distribution challenges.

Jason recently earned an A.I. Analyst Certification (2025), strengthening his ability to apply data-driven insights to agriculture. His unique mix of farming expertise and technology know-how makes him an essential contributor to Indoor Vertical.Farm’s mission of building resilient, sustainable food systems in the Caribbean.

Ana Pila – Agricultural Engineer

Ana Pila is an Agricultural Engineer with expertise in controlled-environment agriculture, hydroponics, and vertical farming systems. She specializes in optimizing crop yield and quality by developing data-driven fertilization programs, managing climate variables, and implementing integrated pest and disease management strategies.

Her professional background spans roles in R&D, production operations, quality management, and sustainable system design, where she has consistently delivered significant improvements in crop health, system efficiency, and overall production outcomes. From enhancing plant vitality and reducing pest pressure to developing more reliable and productive cultivation systems, Ana has a proven ability to transform challenges into measurable results.

Ana’s work bridges scientific precision with hands-on problem-solving, enabling her to identify complex issues and implement practical solutions that raise operational standards. Passionate about innovation and sustainability, she has designed closed-loop hydroponic and aeroponic systems, contributing to more resilient food systems.

At Indoor Vertical.Farm, Ana brings her adaptability, technical insight, and commitment to driving sustainable growth in modern agriculture.

Eissa Ali – Technical Manager

Eissa Ali is a skilled industrial and mechatronics engineer with around 10 years of international experience in hydroponics, vertical farming, and sustainable food systems. With a strong foundation in engineering and plant science, he has led the design, implementation, and optimization of high-tech farming systems across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Eissa’s expertise includes containerized farms, controlled environment agriculture (CEA), and advanced automation technologies for scalable food production. He is known for blending technical precision with hands-on problem-solving, enabling efficient, cost-effective solutions tailored to both urban and remote locations. Eissa has successfully managed multidisciplinary teams and supported strategic growth across several Agri-tech initiatives. His work is guided by a commitment to food security, innovation, and sustainability—values that align closely with our mission. As Technical Manager, Eissa plays a central role in driving innovation and delivering high-impact solutions that support our vision of resilient, future-forward agriculture.

John F. Sticha – Chief Plant Scientist

With over 30 years of experience in agronomy, laboratory science, and urban farming systems, John Sticha brings unparalleled expertise to his role as Chief Plant Scientist at Indoor Vertical.Farm.
John began his career in biotechnology, managing aseptic plant tissue labs and working in DNA research at Vysis (now part of Abbott Laboratories). He later founded Living Water Farms LLC in Florida – a consulting and R&D firm focused on sustainable agriculture technologies. His leadership helped launch and scale projects like Crate to Plate (UK) and Fresh Produce Kings (Thailand), where he directed high-efficiency farming operations in dense urban environments.
John’s approach blends traditional farming knowledge with advanced systems like hydroponics, aeroponics, LED optimization, and zero-waste principles. His mission is clear: to help communities grow fresh, nutritious, and environmentally responsible food – right where it’s needed.
He is also a skilled mentor and operations trainer, known for bringing calm leadership and direct communication to high-growth environments. At IV.F, John leads the company’s crop science, cultivation strategy, and R&D efforts to support global food security in a changing world.

Arjen Willighagen – CFO

Arjen Willighagen is a seasoned financial leader with over two decades of experience in corporate finance, strategic control, and business transformation. As CFO of Indoor Vertical.Farm, he leverages a unique combination of analytical rigor, operational insight, and leadership strength to support the company’s mission and growth across global markets.
His career spans financial directorships and business control roles at companies such as ABN AMRO, LeasePlan, and Xerox, as well as scale-ups like weWow International. Arjen is also the founder of Control2Excel, where he advised a wide range of organizations at the intersection of finance, data, and operations.
With a background in both economics and IT, and a passion for coaching talent, Arjen is known for building bridges between finance teams and broader business strategy. His military leadership experience in the Royal Netherlands Army adds a layer of discipline and decisiveness to his approach.
At IV.F, he plays a vital role in financial planning, investor relations, and scaling up operations in a financially sound and future-proof way.

Sebastien Sainsbury, Chief Customer Officer

Sebastien Sainsbury joins Indoor Vertical.Farm (IV.F) as the Chief Customer Officer, bringing decades of expertise in finance, investment banking, and sustainable farming. His journey began in investment banking, holding key positions at Bankers Trust Co., UBS, and AIG International. He transitioned to sustainable farming in 2015, co-founding Living Water Farms in Florida, and later founding Crate to Plate in London, which operates ten vertical farms and sold produce to over 75 London-based hospitality venues, including restaurants, hotels, retailers, contract caterers, and event companies.

In 2023, Sebastien founded Urban Grange, an advisory firm in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). At IV.F, his focus is on ensuring a customer-centric approach, providing seamless experiences for financiers, farmers, and produce buyers. Sebastien holds an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France, obtained in 1988. Sebastien’s vision is to lead IV.F in revolutionising indoor vertical farming and providing fresh, locally grown produce year-round.

Nidhin K. Narayanan
Director of Operations

Nidhin is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of global experience, starting in banking before transitioning to sustainable agribusiness. He specialises in urban farming technologies, project management, and team leadership, with expertise in hydroponic greenhouses, shipping container farms, and vertical farming.

He has played a key role in high-impact projects across various regions, including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, and Georgia, contributing to portfolios collectively worth over USD 100 million. Most recently, he consulted on a 30-hectare hydroponic greenhouse project in Namibia, which incorporates solar power and advanced climate control systems.

A recognised innovator, Nidhin has received accolades such as the Global Sustainability Award (2017), the Young Innovator Award (UAE), and a Letter of Gratitude from the Government of Georgia for his contributions to sustainable agriculture. He was also awarded a UK Start-up Business Endorsement in 2022 for his work in agritech.

With an MBA in Marketing and Human Resources, Nidhin’s dedication to eco-friendly farming and his ability to lead complex operations make him a key driving force at Indoor Vertical.Farm in advancing sustainable, high-tech agriculture worldwide.

Paul Keightley
Financial Director

Paul Keightley joins Indoor Vertical.Farm as Financial Director with a rich background in finance and management. Starting his career as an Accountant and Financial Director, Paul transitioned into leadership roles, building one of the UK’s largest direct sales forces and agency networks in the energy sector. He has co-owned a gas supply company and managed several successful utility companies for over 25 years, working with multinational companies at Director level.

Nadirsha Everett – Co-Founder and Director

Nadirsha brings a wealth of experience to Indoor Vertical.Farm, having honed her skills in legal, HR, general management, and administration across various global corporations. Her journey began as a corporate lawyer, where she navigated complex legal landscapes before transitioning seamlessly into executive roles focused on human resources and administration.

Previously, Nadirsha held pivotal positions such as Head of the HUB Executive Assistant and HR Specialist at Nestlé Zone Americas HUB, Administrator at Maersk Central America, and General Manager Administrative Assistant at Adidas Latin America. Her career path also includes significant roles at multinational firms like Posco Daewoo Corporation, Roche Diagnostics, Pfizer Corporation, and DLL (a subsidiary of Rabobank), where she excelled in managing confidential matters, orchestrating seamless onboarding processes, and fostering cohesive team environments.

Nadirsha’s tenure at Urban Health Farms provided her with invaluable insights into the indoor vertical farming industry, enhancing her ability to drive strategic initiatives and operational efficiency at Indoor Vertical.Farm. Her multifaceted expertise and commitment to excellence position her as a key leader in propelling the company forward.

Sebastien Sainsbury, Chief Customer Officer

Sebastien Sainsbury joins Indoor Vertical.Farm (IV.F) as the Chief Customer Officer, bringing decades of expertise in finance, investment banking, and sustainable farming. His journey began in investment banking, holding key positions at Bankers Trust Co., UBS, and AIG International. He transitioned to sustainable farming in 2015, co-founding Living Water Farms in Florida, and later founding Crate to Plate in London, which operates ten vertical farms and sold produce to over 75 London-based hospitality venues, including restaurants, hotels, retailers, contract caterers, and event companies.

In 2023, Sebastien founded Urban Grange, an advisory firm in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). At IV.F, his focus is on ensuring a customer-centric approach, providing seamless experiences for financiers, farmers, and produce buyers. Sebastien holds an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France, obtained in 1988. Sebastien’s vision is to lead IV.F in revolutionising indoor vertical farming and providing fresh, locally grown produce year-round.

Bernard Sleijster

Co-Founder and CEO

Bernard Sleijster is a dynamic entrepreneur, strategist and finance professional with more than 20 years of experience in project finance, sustainable development and business innovation. A graduate of the Entrepreneurship College in Amsterdam with a background in marketing, he began his career at an Amsterdam stock brokerage firm before moving into project finance, where he specialised in clean technologies, renewable energy and agritech ventures.

As Co-Founder and CEO of Indoor Vertical.Farm, Bernard plays a leading role in the development of innovative food production solutions and international food security initiatives. Over the past decade, he has built extensive expertise in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), helping to bridge technology, finance and implementation through strategic partnerships with governments, investors, knowledge institutions and industry leaders.

In addition to Indoor Vertical.Farm, Bernard is Co-Founder and CEO of Food Security Capital, an investment and development platform focused on food security, agricultural infrastructure and climate-resilient development projects. He also serves on the Investment Advisory Council of the Global Alliance of Horticulture Regions (GAHR), an international initiative dedicated to advancing innovation, investment and collaboration in support of global food security.

His visionary leadership drives the development of sustainable business models, international partnerships and scalable agricultural solutions. Beyond his professional activities, Bernard is deeply committed to social impact and is the founder of a charitable initiative dedicated to supporting children in need.

Ghulam Abbas, Commercial Manager
Abbas is an innovative and creative professional with exceptional communication skills, dedicated to guiding and facilitating customers. With a background in electrical and computer engineering, he combines technical expertise with a passion for customer service. Abbas is known for his cheerful, ambitious, and resilient nature, continually striving to achieve milestones and improve services through teamwork and lifelong learning.

Abbas holds a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering, and a bachelor’s degree in computer system engineering. Since 2019, Abbas has been serving as a Sales Manager at GrowSpec Biotech. In this role, he leverages his technical background to assist customers with control systems, operations, and maintenance, providing valuable technical suggestions and support.

Abbas’s dedication to continuous improvement and his ability to professionally manage customer relationships make him a key figure in driving the commercial success of Indoor Vertical.Farm. His innovative approach and commitment to excellence are instrumental in advancing sustainable agricultural technologies.