Meet our team

Based in Europe, Matthias has extensive experience in the sourcing of cosmetic oils. He holds a Masters in Agribusiness from the University of Hohenheim in Germany and has worked on research projects in this field, in both the Phillipines and Tanzania. His knowledge of the essential and vegetable oil market is exceptional and this is matched with a thorough, practical approach.

Matthias previously worked for a major German natural cosmetic company in a sourcing role and it was here he developed his passion for helping farmers from developing countries. Matthias continues this goal through his key role in the strategic sourcing and sales of Fairoils products.

Matthias has a keen eye for detail and regularly travels to projects in Kenya and Madagascar to ensure Fairoils’ high-quality standards are achieved and maintained. Matthias speaks German, English and French.

Julie has over 20 years of experience in strategic finance, corporate governance and business transformation across Africa and the Cayman Islands. She leads Fairoils’ financial strategy, reporting and performance management, partnering with the executive team to strengthen financial sustainability and support the Group’s continued growth.

Julie is passionate about using finance as a strategic enabler to build resilient businesses while creating lasting value for smallholder farmers and rural communities. She believes sound financial stewardship is key to driving sustainable growth and long-term impact.

Julie holds an MBA from Strathmore Business School, a Bachelor of Business and Management (Banking & Finance) from Egerton University, and is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K).

Jacob has more than 12 years of experience working in the water, agriculture and economic development sector in rural Kenya. He works in Fairoils’ East Africa operations, managing the outgrowers smallholder farmers and the co-impact social development programs.

Jacob is passionate about the connections between water, energy and food. He is particularly interested in the role of agriculture in poverty reduction and eradication in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

Jacob holds a Bachelor of Science in soil, water and environmental engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture. He also holds a Master of Science in environmental and biosystems engineering from the University of Nairobi and a PhD in Geography and the Environment from Oxford University.

Connor is a dedicated advocate of creative thinking and innovation, striving to implement sustainable growth strategies. He firmly believes in the power of collaborative efforts with smallholder producers to combat poverty cycles and foster a positive impact on both people and the environment.

Connor is based in Kenya, where he is responsible for supervising Fairoils’ sustainability certifications and spearheading the group’s sustainability strategy.

Previously, Connor played an integral role at The Body Shop, contributing to the brand’s acclaimed Fair Trade program. Here he was an inaugural member of the forward-thinking ‘Youth Collective’ (Junior Board), ensuring youth voices were heard in the company’s decision-making processes.

With a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in International Horticulture from Nottingham Trent University and a certificate in strategic roadmapping from the University of Cambridge, Connor combines academic expertise with practical experience.

Mike has been involved in development projects throughout Africa and the Middle East since 2004, in both government and non-profit sectors. He is enthusiastic about using his extensive project management and leadership experience to lead his team to work effectively with community leaders and local farmers in Madagascar.

Mike believes that empowering individuals is the key to achieving lasting impact on farming communities and their quality of life.

Mike holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Global Enterprise from the University of Utah. He speaks French and Spanish and is currently learning Malagasy.

With 20 years of experience in the essential oil industry in Eastern Africa, Brigitte brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as General Manager of Fairoils Madagascar. Her intricate understanding of the supply chains in the diverse and remote locations of this region is exceptional and she always has a great story to tell. Brigette manages both quality control and export of our products and this requires detailed coordination due to its remoteness. Brigitte has a chemical and agricultural engineering degree from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.