Speaker module

Dr. Jane Yardley is an Innovation Specialist with over 20 years’ experience helping businesses accelerate product development, improve sustainability, and reduce environmental impact across the agritech and food and drink sectors. With a Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Leeds, her early research explored enzyme driven post harvest deterioration in Brassicas, followed by applied research into crop failure, protein biochemistry and increasing nutritional value through protein engineering at Reading University, Bristol University, and Rothamsted Research. Dr. Yardley has built a career bridging science and industry—delivering commercially focused research, leading cross sector innovation programmes, and managing complex technical projects for organisations across academia, government, and industry. At Harper Adams University, she has led industry driven innovation and new product development initiatives and is currently focused on reducing food loss and waste across the supply chain—from primary production to retail and hospitality. Her work supports the development of more resilient, efficient, and sustainable food production practices.