GATHER BY TEAM HIVE
Matt Blomfield
Founder & CEO
Matt Blomfield is an accomplished entrepreneur with over 30 years of leadership experience in startups and publicly listed companies. He founded Gather By as a food security initiative to restore healthy bee populations through regenerative agriculture. This business model combines large-scale propagation of native high-DHA Manuka bushes and high-MGO honey production.
Matt’s goal is to educate the market on the superiority of Australian Manuka, and with Traditional Owners, growers and farmers, cultivate sufficient Manuka plants across east coast of Australia to meet global Manuka honey demand. This focus on regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration is supporting the development of a new Australian industry, positioning Gather By as a global leader in Medicinal and Therapeutic honey.
Dr Gary Ewart
Director - Chief Science Officer
Gary holds a Bachelor of Science, PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (Australian National University). Twenty-five years’ experience as a research scientist in the field of membrane protein structure and function (University of Oregon & John Curtin School of Medical Research). Currently; senior scientist at Biotron Limited (ASX:BIT), an Australian biotechnology company focussed on the development of novel antiviral drugs.
Gary provides sound, analytical wisdom to complex business challenges across R&D and all disciplines of the company, always questioning for completeness and accuracy.
Matt Evans
Director
With an impressive 35 years in broadcast television, Matt Evans has dedicated his career to forging meaningful connections between clients and consumers, while also optimising hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. He held a prominent position as National Sales Director for WIN Television for 15 years and was a Director at the Pacific Restaurant Group for seven years, overseeing the profitable operations at Kingsley's Steakhouse, Chophouse, and the renowned Jamie Oliver's restaurants.
Matt brings all his skills, background, experience and connections to Gather By, working with the team to drive revenue growth.
Lee Vakas
Finance, Accounting Manager
Lee holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and Finance and has post-graduate qualifications in Applied Finance and Investment.
He provides financial management, corporate advisory services and develops innovative financial and plant modelling for the company. Lee prepares company secretarial services, financial accounts for the Board, assists in procuring government funding and is also involved with exports, documentation and compliance.
Reece Ryan
Operations, Production & Distribution Manager
Reece has extensive senior operations management experience in the therapeutic and complementary healthcare industries, including responsibility for TGA and FDA regulatory compliance.
He is responsible for the overall operation of day-to-day activities on site, managing the supply and acquisition of honey, packaging/consumables and the production and distribution of the finished product domestically and internationally
Martin Brown
Plants, Farming & Quality Assurance Manager
Martin holds a BSc Hons degree and was responsible for identifying, geocoding and commercialising the highly-active Leptospermum plants that produce Gather By’s high MGO honey.
He oversees the propagation and plant logistics from licensed nurseries, Medicinal Honey Forest (MHF) design, development, installation and honey production. He manages and implements plant breeding and development program/s, fodder selection, sourcing, and integration into MHFs. He ensures compliance with relevant food safety standards, including HACCP, BQual, Halal and Dept of Primary Industries.
Anthony Kingston
Head of eCommerce and Global Sales Manager
With an MSc in pharmacologyand a background in alternative medicine and marketing Anthony has owned and managed multiple clinic chains and multimillion-dollar online businesses.
Since 2016 he has used his 20 years of experience in the industry to provide management and marketing consulting for health and wellness businesses in the UK and Australia.
As sales manager at Gather By Anthony is responsible for sales and marketing strategy including brand management, lead generation, retail and distribution channels and e-commerce and digital marketing strategies.
Julie Hollonds
Customer Satisfaction, Support, and Administration
Julie Hollonds brings over 35 years of expertise as an Office Manager, including the last 15 years at a prominent law firm where she honed her skills in client relations, office administration, and customer service.
At Gather By, Julie leads telephone sales and customer support, ensuring an exceptional experience for every customer. Her dedication has been instrumental in maintaining Gather By’s five-star ratings, driving customer loyalty and satisfaction with our premium, world-renowned Manuka honey.
Holly Streader
Channel Manager (UK & EU)
Holly has a background in training and education and a history with Gather By that goes back to its beginnings in 2014 when she lived in Australia. Holly is delighted to continue her connection with Gather By as its Channel Manager (UK & EU).
Holly is taking Gather By to the UK and EU markets, establishing and expanding brand presence in this burgeoning market. She is responsible for identifying, importing and working with select wholesalers and retailers in the region to promote and sell Gather By’s world-premium therapeutic and medicinal honey.
Sheia Kalima Sethi
Marketing, Customer Care, MHF Development
Sheia's background is in Marketing, Regenerative Farming and Health and Wellness. Trained as a scientist and a natural therapies practitioner, with 10 years experience in regenerative agriculture as an organic farmher (hemp, market veg, cut flowers), business development and digital marketing.
David Blomfield B. Eng. Civil
MHF Design, Engineering & Implementation
David has a degree in engineering and has 35 years experience in small to large scale irrigation design and project management including the Murray Basin scheme, exploration and managing large farm assets.
David’s role is to work with Traditional Owner’s, farmers and growers to install successful Medicinal Honey Forest’s and produce high-MGO Australian Manuka honey. He will guide the grower through the feasibility phase, to costing and production estimates, land preparation, irrigation design and installation, and full implementation.