Earth Blox is a tool that provides access to the power of Earth Observation, removing the need for coding, high performance computers and extensive storage - giving users satellite intelligence anywhere.Anyone can save time by removing repetitive manual tasks and increase accuracy in decision making by harnessing numerous data sources at their fingertips.Earth Blox is a customer-focussed organisation, and my role is to ensure that our customers are able to get the most value possible from their use of Earth Blox. As co-founder I also ensure that all aspects of the business, from technical to sales, is aligned with the strategic and commercial direction of Earth Blox. Our organic growth has been driven predominantly by sales. We have also been fortunate to receive numerous competitive awards and grants. Our recent successes include:Winner 2020: Converge Challenge (Award exclusive to high-tech, high R&D entrepreneurs from Scottish Academic Research Institutions)Winner 2020: Scottish Edge UK’s biggest Business Funding CompetitionAwarded 2020: UK Research Councils Innovation Agency (Smart Award, <1% chances of success)Selected 2021: Showcased at EIE, UK’s premier technology investor showcaseAwarded 2019: Prestigious Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowship Awarded to CEO (Patenaude)Co-winner 2020: GEO – Google Earth Engine programme (with UNEP and UoE)Awarded 2019: UK Research Councils Innovation Agency (Pre-Accelerator - ICURe Award)

Carbomap are a tech-SME, originally spun-out from the University of Edinburgh. We apply pioneering approaches to the problems of measuring and mapping the world’s forests, flood risk, and corridor mapping (power lines etc.). We create accurate maps of key metrics and performance indicators primarily through the use of Lidar, either airborne or long-endurance UAVs, as well as the innovative application of other remote sensing technologies, such as satellite radar.As Chief Operating Officer at Carbomap I am responsible for our service delivery, including the management of the Carbomap team, projects, and budgets. I am a registered PRINCE2 Practitioner and ensure the application of this methodology within our project activities. Along with other members of the senior management team, I have responsibility for business development, and developing and maintaining relationships with an international suite of clients, partners, and other stakeholders, situated here in Scotland, the rest of the UK, Europe and the tropics (within the team my particular focus is on Latin America as I speak Spanish).My project delivery work involves the application of a range of remote sensing technologies for measuring and mapping forests internationally, with particular expertise on the use of Lidar, and the development of software and workflows for the management and analysis of earth observation data. I achieve this by writing object-oriented software tools in IDL, Python, and R for the extraction of key parameters. I make use of LAStools and in-house software tools along with standard GIS software packages for further processing and analyses of data. In addition I lead fieldwork teams both in the UK and internationally, collecting key calibration and validation data for a range of project applications. I am first aid qualified, and have undergone Hostile Environment and Travel Safety training.

Through my role at Carbomap I am the Forest Data Charter Secretariat, coordinating the operation of the Charter and the associated data platforms. The Forest Data Charter is a multi-organisation framework and I am the central point of contact between signatories and the global parters of the Forests 2020 project, negotiating the provision of high-quality commercial datasets for use in methodology development and testing.The Forest Data Charter (FDC) is a voluntary data sharing framework established under the UKSA Forests2020 project, to promote the application of EO to improved forest governance. It encourages producers of commercial EO datasets to provide sample data for restricted location areas, ‘window areas’, which represent specific land-use, land cover type, and vegetation characteristics.The intent is to provide end-users with a better understanding of the range and capabilities of different EO products so that they can make more informed choices about what is suitable in different forest conditions.

Client Management:• Worked with a range of international clients, acting as the single point of contact for supporting and leading carbon management projects. Providing expert guidance and solutions to maximise the reporting capabilityTeam and Management Skills• Contributed to the Client Services Team, through sharing informed opinions, implementing actions, and through mutual support of the team• Took on the responsibility for the training and management of junior members of staff and short-term internsData Management and Analyses:• Managed large amounts of data for detailed analysis and reporting, leading the development of carbon emission reports, whilst maintaining a clear audit trail for transparencySoftware and Services Development:• Improvement of software by developing user specifications based on client requirements, and through involvement in the testing cycle• Carried out focussed research, monitoring developments in international carbon measurement standards and protocols to inform software and service development

Communication skills:• Delivering presentations and adjusting content accordingly to suit specific audiences, regardless of knowledge gap. Being able to communicate across language barriers was a key asset for the team.Ability to absorb key information and apply practically:• A detailed knowledge of environmental scientific processes necessary to respond to customer queries efficiently and conclusively in an understandable manner. This was particularly useful when I delivered a presentation to university lecturer groups and a selection of European MPs on climate change.Confidence to work independently and apply initiative accordingly:• Due to the nature of this role I had to be prepared to make key decisions independently when under pressure; especially during times when health and safety precautions were needed.An understanding and ability to work within a diverse team:• 150 overall team employees and 30 direct team members highlighted the importance of developing interpersonal and collaboration skills. Through this I gained the respect of my team which was useful when I was required to take leadership roles during shift changeovers, and when problems arose.

Independent management skills, negotiation and market research:• Given sole responsibility to revitalise the Quiz and presented with a minimal budget, within 1 year, I increased attendance to average 350 people per week and built it to be the largest student pub quiz in Europe. This was achieved through determination, market research, and quality assurance.• Additionally, DJ at the biggest student club night in Edinburgh, as part of a small team to ensure that all the customers were enjoying themselves.

Working collaboratively with others:• Due to initiatives such as the University loyalty ‘Society Card’ and creating an efficient database I was able to assist societies to work collaboratively with one another and boost capability. To ensure the database facility matched society needs I researched and gathered feedback from key stakeholders.