Bionema appoints renowned entrepreneurship expert as new Chairman

Bionema Group, a leader in biocontrol technology developer and recipient of the prestigious King’s Award for Innovation in 2024, announces the appointment of Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE as the new Chairman of its Board of Directors. This appointment is a significant step in Bionema's journey with Professor Jones-Evans, having a background in entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialisation and is poised to help drive Bionema’s mission to deliver cutting-edge biological solutions for sustainable plant health management and significantly expand the company’s presence in the global market.

As the harmful impacts of chemical pesticides on human health, biodiversity, and the environment become increasingly apparent, the demand for effective, eco-friendly alternatives is more urgent than ever. Bionema, recognised for its pioneering biocontrol technologies across the horticulture, sports turf, forestry, and agriculture sectors, recently expanded its portfolio with a new line of microbial biocontrol solutions designed to enhance soil health and increase yield by 20%. 

According to Markets and Markets, the biocontrol market is projected to reach USD 27.8 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.8%. Bionema's strategic expansion is significant and has the potential to revolutionise the agricultural biological industry, bringing about a new era of sustainable plant health management.

While the science behind biocontrol is essential, the successful commercialisation of innovative products is crucial to ensure they meet farmers' and growers' expectations. Professor Jones-Evans brings a wealth of experience in this area that will be invaluable in guiding Bionema through its next growth phase. His deep knowledge of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and strategic vision will ensure the successful commercialisation of Bionema's products and pave the way for the company to meet and exceed the expectations of its end-users.

Professor Jones-Evans is celebrated as the founder of the UK Start-Up Awards and the UK Fast Growth Index, both of which recognise and promote high-potential enterprises. He is a visiting professor at Turku University in Finland and at Aston University in the UK. He has authored over 100 academic articles and the best-selling textbook ‘Enterprise and Small Business.’ Having generated over £50 million for innovation and commercialisation projects in the university sector, his influence extends beyond academia with leadership roles, including chairing the fast-growth co-working firm Town Square and spearheading the establishment of the Development Bank of Wales. A respected authority on economics and business, Professor Jones-Evans regularly contributes to the BBC, Western Mail, and Daily Post and was honoured with an OBE in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours list. He has recently announced the development of a new entrepreneurship hub in North Wales that will support young people in starting and growing innovative businesses across that region.

"We are thrilled to welcome Professor Jones-Evans to Bionema," said Dr. Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema. "His considerable experience in entrepreneurship and high-growth firms will be instrumental as we navigate the challenges of a competitive market. With his guidance, we are poised to achieve significant milestones in our journey, driving the development of new technologies to enhance our biocontrol products and solidifying Bionema’s position as a global leader in sustainable pest and plant health solutions."

Professor Jones-Evans expressed his delight in joining Bionema at this pivotal moment. "I am excited to support a visionary company like Bionema, which is poised to become a leading global player in biocontrol. Its early technological successes, including acquisitions by industry giants like Syngenta in late 2021, reflect a solid foundation and a clear vision for making the environment safer and food production more sustainable. Innovative companies like Bionema must lead the way in an era where sustainability is paramount. I look forward to working closely with the executive team to maximise the company’s potential and accelerate its growth."

Bionema, headquartered at Swansea University in Wales, benefits from its location within a world-class academic environment. This unique setting enables the company to drive innovation in biocontrol technologies while providing comprehensive solutions to research partners, including technology licensing, transfer, and global registration.