Our Team
Leadership Team
Joined Cara: 1995
Qualifications:
- 1st Class Honours in Microbiology, University of the West of Scotland
- PhD Thesis: “Molecular Structure and Antibacterial Function of Hop Resin Materials,” University of Greenwich
Honours:
- 1991: Cambridge Prize, awarded by the Institute of Brewing for contributions to brewing research
- 1995: Elected a Fellow of the Institute of Brewing
Hometown: Glasgow, UK
Located: Chippenham, UK
Interests: Golf and Formula 1
Bio:
Bill is the developer of the world’s first reference beer flavour standards system, used to train over 15,000 professional beer tasters globally since 1996. These standards are now applied across industries including water, soft drinks, wine, spirits, and food, ensuring sensory tests maintain the highest levels of objectivity.
As an experienced brewing technology professional, microbiologist, and sensory expert, Bill has advised more than 500 breweries in 70 countries. As Managing Director of Cara Technology Limited and formerly as Principal Scientist at the Brewing Research Foundation, he has authored over 110 scientific papers, book chapters, and patent specifications.
Driven by a passion for innovation, Bill specializes in brewing technology, process-driven problem-solving, technical training, and beverage flavour chemistry. His personal and professional mission is to help brewers produce exceptional beers while maintaining high profitability within inspiring workplaces.
Expertise:
- Brewing technology
- Process-driven problem-solving
- Technical training
- Yeast and fermentation
- Brewery microbiology
- Beverage flavour chemistry
- Sensory analysis
Joined Cara: 2001
Qualifications:
- BSc in Computing Science, University of Glasgow
- Member of the British Computer Society
Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland
Located: Chippenham, England
Interests: Gardening, Singing, and Reading
Bio:
After graduating in 1981 with a BSc in Computing Science, Val pursued her passion for technology, building a 30-year career as an IT contractor. Over the years, she worked with global companies such as Colt Telecoms and Total, where she held the position of Head of Systems and delivered innovative business solutions to clients worldwide.
In 2001, Val formally joined her husband, Dr. Bill Simpson, in Cara Technology Limited, although her involvement with the company dates back to its founding. Drawing on her extensive experience in computing, she played a pivotal role in the creation of the world’s first Taster Validation Scheme, designed to evaluate and certify tasters in the brewing industry. Val led a talented team of developers to build the platform supporting this groundbreaking initiative.
Since then, Val has been instrumental in developing a range of IT platforms for the company, including the AROXA™ and Cara Technology websites and the sensory analysis software, SensCheck™. Her approach to system development combines functionality with an artistic focus on the user experience.
Val’s recent efforts have centered on delivering SensCheck™ globally and promoting Cara Technology Limited’s solutions to new audiences. She describes her work as both exciting and fulfilling, crediting her passion for coding as a key driver of her success.
When she’s not attached to her laptop or brainstorming her next project, Val enjoys gardening, singing, reading, and savoring a well-crafted porter.
Joined Cara: 2009
Qualifications:
- BA in Business Studies, Coventry University
Located: Kingston upon Thames, UK
Interests: Rugby
Bio:
Jon is a Business Studies graduate with over 25 years of experience in the recruitment industry. Previously, he served as European Managing Director and Senior Vice President for a large international recruitment consultancy, where he oversaw remarkable growth, expanding revenues from £6M to £65M. As European MD, Jon also managed various recruitment divisions, including an award-winning Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) business and a systems house. Before entering the recruitment industry, Jon worked in IT and served as an officer in the British Special Forces.
Currently, Jon is the joint owner of E-Resourcing Ltd, a recruitment services company that combines traditional recruitment best practices with cutting-edge web and database search capabilities. E-Resourcing prides itself on leveraging the expertise of its seasoned professionals, each with an average of 15 years in the industry, to deliver exceptional recruitment services.
In addition to his work at E-Resourcing, Jon has been a Non-Executive Director at Cara Technology since 2009. He also dedicates time to pro bono activities, including interviewing army officers transitioning to civilian careers and advising a local college on IT and Accounting Foundation Degree courses. Jon helps guide students in exploring their career options in IT.
In his spare time, Jon enjoys watching rugby and even plays for the House of Lords rugby team.
Expertise:
- Recruitment Industry Leadership
- Business Growth and Strategy
- Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)
- IT Career Advisory Services
- Non-Executive Leadership
Joined Cara: 2015
Qualifications:
- BA in Politics, Goldsmiths, University of London
Located: Leatherhead, UK
Interests: Beer Tasting, Travel, and Sensory Training
Bio:
Cara joined Cara Technology in 2015 and has since become an integral part of the leadership team. As the Head of Sales & Marketing, Cara oversees global sales strategies, customer relationships, and marketing initiatives, supporting over 500 professional beer tasting panels worldwide. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding the company’s footprint and ensuring the delivery of exceptional client support.
An experienced beer taster and sensory training specialist, Cara has facilitated training sessions for global brands, judged beer competitions across Europe, Mexico, Brazil, and the USA, and supported Coca-Cola’s global quality program. She combines technical expertise with a keen understanding of the beer industry, helping clients achieve superior sensory performance.
Cara also manages the AROXA™ portfolio, including the world’s most extensive reference flavour standards for beer and beverages, and works closely with global teams to ensure excellence in sensory programs. Under her guidance, the team successfully achieved ISO-9001 recertification with no nonconformances, demonstrating her commitment to quality and innovation.
Passionate about supporting others, Cara provides technical support for sensory panels in small and large breweries alike, facilitating the use of tools and training to enhance sensory testing. With a practical and customer-focused approach, she thrives on delivering impactful results.
Expertise:
- Sensory Training and Panel Support
- Sales and Marketing Strategy
- Global Client Relationship Management
- Quality Assurance (ISO-9001)
- Beer Tasting and Flavour Standards
Sales Team
Leanne Mynes
Account Manager
Joined Cara: 2024
Role: Account Manager
Located: Leatherhead, UK
Hometown: Dublin, Ireland
Bio:
Leanne is a client-focused Account Manager at Cara Technology, managing a portfolio of accounts across the beverage sector. Since joining Cara Technology in 2024, she has developed a strong specialism in supporting multinational clients across carbonated soft drinks, juice, ready-to-drink tea and coffee, bottled water including flavoured water, sports drinks, and energy drinks.
Drawing on her background in client training coordination, Leanne brings a thorough understanding of programme compliance and customer requirements to her account management role. She works closely with clients to ensure the seamless delivery of training programmes and flavour standards, acting as a primary point of contact for programme compliance support and client communications.
Known for her organisational skills, attention to detail, and collaborative approach, Leanne is committed to building strong, long-term client relationships and identifying opportunities to enhance the value Cara Technology delivers to its customers worldwide..
Expertise:
- Account Management and Client Relationship Development
- Training Programme Coordination and Compliance Support
- Flavour Standards Distribution and Client Communications
- Beverage Sector Knowledge across CSD, Juice, RTD, Water, Sports and Energy Drinks
- Team Supervision and Administrative Oversight
Prthisa Baskaran
Technical Sales Representative
Joined Cara: 2024
Role: Technical Sales Representative
Located: Reading, UK
Hometown: Denmark, raised in the UK
Interests: Travelling, Baking, Hiking, Gaming, and Strength Training
Bio:
With a degree in Nutrition and Food Science, Prthisa is an accomplished sensory panel leader with extensive experience across diverse sectors, including foods, beverages, and non-food consumer goods. Her career has taken her across three countries, where she has successfully trained sensory panels and developed a deep understanding of sensory analysis.
Before joining Cara Technology Ltd. in May 2024, Pri worked as a Senior Sensory Executive, managing ad hoc sensory projects and contributing to advancements in the sensory field. At Cara, Pri plays a key role in delivering in-person sensory training courses, addressing technical issues, and supporting taster validation schemes.
Known for her hardworking, passionate, and caring nature, Pri is dedicated to helping clients achieve their sensory goals. Her enthusiasm and friendliness make her an integral part of the Sales Team, where she thrives on combining her technical expertise with a client-focused approach.
Outside of work, Pri enjoys travelling, baking, hiking, gaming, and strength training. A former clarinet player, she brings creativity and a sense of discipline to all areas of her life.
Expertise:
- Sensory Panel Training and Leadership
- Nutrition and Food Science
- Sensory Analysis for Foods, Beverages, and Consumer Goods
- Technical Sales and Client Solutions
Gordon Banks
Technical Sales Representative
Joined Cara: 2024
Role: Technical Sales Representative
Located: Edinburgh, UK
Hometown: Edinburgh, UK
Interests: Football, History, Walking his dog, Beer
Bio:
Gordon Banks is a Technical Sales Representative at Cara Technology, supporting clients across the brewing, distilling, and wider food and beverage industry in implementing sensory programmes, delivering training, and providing technical sensory support. His client portfolio spans multinational producers through to small independent craft businesses, bringing the same depth of expertise and commitment to each.
After graduating from the University of Aberdeen with a BSc in Immunology with Pharmacology, Gordon pursued a career in brewing, progressing from brewery assistant through to Head of Operations at Cross Borders Brewing Company in Midlothian. Over more than a decade in the industry he has accumulated extensive hands-on experience across brewing operations, business strategy, product development, and commercial sales — giving him a genuine understanding of the challenges and opportunities his clients face at every level of their business.
A strong advocate for education and continuous development, Gordon has devised and delivered training programmes throughout his career. This passion for knowledge sharing sits at the heart of his work at Cara Technology, where he supports clients in building and embedding effective sensory programmes tailored to their specific operational needs.
Gordon holds a General Certificate in Brewing from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, achieved with a credit pass, as well as an Advanced HACCP qualification. He is an active presence at key industry events and has an extensive network across the Scottish craft beer sector and the broader UK and European brewing and distilling industries.
Expertise:
- Technical and Regulatory Support for the Food Industry
- Sensory Programme Implementation and Support
- Technical Sales and Client Relationship Management
- Training Design and Delivery
- Brewing and Distilling Operations
- Food and Beverage Industry Knowledge across Craft and Multinational Sectors
- Food Safety and HACCP Compliance
Genevieve Upton
Customer Education Manager
Joined Cara: 2024
Role: Customer Education Lead
Located: Cornwall, UK
Hometown: Yorkshire, UK
Interests: Crochet, Classical Cello, Figure Skating, Audiobooks, Radio Plays, and Podcasts
Bio:
Genevieve Upton is a seasoned drinks industry professional with over 15 years of experience. As a Master Brewer with a degree in Applied Biology, Genevieve combines her deep technical expertise with a passion for education. She is also a certified Beer Sommelier and has completed WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certifications in both spirits and wine, making her a well-rounded expert in the drinks sector.
Since joining Cara Technology in 2024 as Customer Education Lead, Genevieve has brought her extensive knowledge to the forefront, focusing on educating and inspiring professionals worldwide. Her experience spans production operations management, technical problem solving, continuous improvement, and research and development. She has produced a wide variety of beverages, including beer, kombucha, non-alcoholic beer, non-alcoholic cocktails, and soft drinks.
Genevieve’s career has taken her across Europe and the UK, where she has led technical projects and brewed in numerous breweries, demonstrating her breadth of knowledge and hands-on expertise. Known for her patient, creative, and scientific approach, Genevieve takes real enjoyment in helping others learn and bringing the “magic” of biotechnology to life for her students.
Outside of work, Genevieve is a multi-talented individual with an array of hobbies. She is an accomplished crocheter who designs and teaches her own patterns, a classical cellist, and a former competitive figure skater. Her love of sound extends to audiobooks, radio plays, and podcasts, which fuel her creativity and curiosity.
Expertise:
- Brewing Operations and R&D
- Biotechnology Education and Training
- Technical Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement
- Sensory Analysis and Beverage Production (Beer, Kombucha, Non-Alcoholic Drinks)
- Public Speaking and Scientific Communication
Chris Raleigh
Yeast Business Development Manager
Joined Cara: 2024
Role: Yeast Business Development Manager
Located: Crawley, UK
Hometown: Calgary, Canada
Interests: Brewing Science and Global Travel
Bio:
Chris Raleigh joined Cara Technology in 2024 as Yeast Business Development Manager. In this role, Chris is responsible for supporting yeast customers with their yeast supply and technical needs while also helping to grow Cara’s yeast business and share the company’s extensive yeast collection with breweries worldwide.
Originally from Calgary, Canada, Chris has lived across the world in Colombia, France, Malaysia, and Pakistan, bringing a global perspective to his work. He holds a PhD (pending submission) in Brewing Science from the University of Nottingham, with research focused on A Model for the Pasteurisation of Beer. Chris combines his academic expertise with a practical passion for fermentation and brewing, making him a key asset to the Cara Technology team.
Chris now resides in Crawley with his partner Clare. When not immersed in brewing science, he enjoys exploring new innovations within the yeast business and expanding Cara’s global reach.
Expertise:
- Brewing Science and Yeast Fermentation
- Yeast Banking and Technical Support
- Global Business Development in Yeast Supply
Production & Support Team
Customer Support
Our Customer Support team handles sales administration and client coordination, ensuring smooth operations and excellent service.
Sales Administration & Customer Support
Zéna Labaki
Client Training Coordinator
Guy Lester
Customer Service Representative
Anthony Brady
Sales Administrator
Logistics & Accounts
Ben Burlinson
Senior Logistics Administrator
Cristy Amponsah
Accounts Assistant
Stela Karadzhova
Logistics Administrator
Production
Behind every success, there is a dedicated and passionate team. Get to know the faces driving our mission forward.
Yeast Team
Dr. Kerti Orumets
Dr. Ben Guscott
Tom Sutcliffe
Flavours Team
Oliver Tromans
Packaging Team
Toby Buxton
Bobby Gilbert
Sebastian Harrison
Simon Hooker
Lindsey Wilson
Sensory
Jack Tinney
Our Roots and the Road Ahead
Dream Team
At Cara Technology, we take immense pride in introducing you to the exceptional team that drives our mission of advancing sensory training, brewing science, and yeast innovation. Our story is not just about the services we provide but about the people who make it all possible.
Our Journey
Our journey began with a small team of passionate experts who envisioned transforming sensory analysis and brewing practices worldwide. From developing the world’s first beer flavour standards to supporting professional taster panels globally, our mission has always been to combine science, innovation, and expertise to set new industry standards.
Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes, you’ll find a dedicated team of scientists, educators, and specialists who work tirelessly to support breweries, beverage producers, and sensory professionals. Whether it’s delivering world-class taster training, developing cutting-edge yeast solutions, or supporting our clients with tailored services, every team member plays a vital role in bringing our vision to life.
Evolution and Growth
Our story is one of innovation, resilience, and growth. From our early days of supporting breweries with technical expertise to expanding into global sensory training and yeast banking, we have continued to evolve with the industry. We are driven by the feedback and trust of our clients, whose success inspires us to push boundaries and deliver excellence every day.
