kate hofman

co-founder and head of strategy and brand

About

I’m a highly driven climate & social impact entrepreneur having previously worked in change management consultancy. I’m the co-founder of GrowUp Urban Farms, a London-based Controlled Environment Production (CEP) farming business with a focus on commercial-scale hydroponic vertical farms. We grow sustainable food for a local market using vertical growing techniques in a completely controlled environment. We build a resilient supply chain for retailers & wholesalers by addressing some of the fundamental flaws in our agricultural system. We are looking to scale up our operations and if you’d like to explore partnerships with us or connect with me here, please drop me an email at kate@growup.org.uk.

Country

united kingdom

City

london

Industry

food production

Skill

change management, stakeholder management, sustainability, business transformation, project management, social entrepreneurship, urban agriculture, strategy, project delivery, urban farming, sustainable business, business process improvement, program management, it strategy, climate change, organizational change, governance, telecommunications

Experience

co-founder and head of strategy and brand

growup urban farms

ski instructor

intrawest resorts

2003-11 - 2004-4 · 6 mos

Taught Private and Group lessons for 3-4 year olds.

co-founder

arboreal

2011-7 - 2012-10 · 1 yr 4 mos

Arboreal’s business concept is to set up self-contained mechanical processing centres to allow cooperatives in tropical forests to process NTFPs (Non Timber Forest Products). The processing centre contains the machinery to create a higher value product from a raw NTFP as well as storage and packaging facilities. Arboreal will provide the necessary initial investment as well as training, coaching and networking services for the cooperative to run an effective business and have access to distribution channels for their final product. By creating small-scale local industry we help communities move up the value chain, and have a positive social, economic and environmental impact.

organisational change consultant

ibm

2007-7 - 2013-1 · 5 yrs 7 mos

Organisational Change Consultant across multiple sectors including Oil and Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications and Travel. Experience included IT transformation, culture and behaviour change, communications and stakeholder management.

Education

north london collegiate school

1995-1 - 2003-1 · 8 yrs 1 mo

durham university

education

2004-1 - 2007-1 · 3 yrs 1 mo

Thesis Title: Post-Tsunami Education in Sri Lanka: Disaster as a Catalyst for Change

dyson school of design engineering

business

2011-1 - 2012-1 · 1 yr 1 mo

Thesis title: The commercialisation of Urban Farming in London Research focus included: Sustainable sourcing of wood and timber Sustainable business models and social entrepreneurship