“Vincent proved a valuable addition to our panel, his knowledge of regenerative design contributing significantly to our discussions and helping our audience gain insights into this business-critical sector.”
Gus Bambridge-Sutton - Reporter - FoodNavigator (2024)
Dr Vincent Walsh, an award-winning regenerative design expert and farmer, is a prominent figure in the UK's food and agriculture sector, recently recognised for his achievement in winning the inaugural Farm491 Challenge Prize. He is a leading authority on circular and regenerative practices, combining practical farming experience with theoretical consultancy for primary food and beverage organisations. This unique expertise has driven projects and product development, making significant strides towards net-zero targets and leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Beyond his role as a consultant, Vincent's entrepreneurial spirit has led him to create successful food businesses and brands, further cementing his influence in the field. His extensive work across Europe and Africa has provided him with a deep understanding of agroforestry systems, temperate and tropical environments, arable and silvopasture systems, and annual and perennial systems.
Renowned for his academic rigour with a PhD in Biospheric Systems, Dr Vincent Walsh brings a unique scientific perspective to his work. He is also an expert on the Design Council, the UK's national strategic advisor for design, and has the ability to enthuse others with a down-to-earth personality.
Dr Vincent Walsh's client portfolio includes some of the largest global foodservice businesses, such as Sysco Speciality Group (Fresh Direct) and Compass Group. In his work with these clients, he demonstrating his expertise and the trust he has earned in the industry.
Furthermore, Dr Vincent Walsh is not just a leader in the field but also a mentor and advisor, demonstrating his unwavering commitment and passion for the field. His role as an advisor to the Plant-Based Food Alliance and his close work with organisations such as the Organic Research Centre (ORC) on issues such as carbon capture and soil health is a testament to his dedication. Vincent also mentors young farmers as part of Defra's Farming Innovation Programme and has supported cohorts of social entrepreneurs on the Zinc Venture Builder programme. This commitment to nurturing the next generation of industry professionals is a clear reflection of his passion for the field.
In the last five years since returning to the UK, he has founded RegenfarmCo, a regenerative agriculture company that works with farmers and landowners to transition towards ecological growing processes; Mycoloops, a start-up that upcycles food and other waste to create high-grade organic compost; and Herblabism, a plant-based food brand developed specifically for the food service sector. The three enterprises are highlighted as interconnected and have developed with their food partners.
Dr Walsh's active participation in industry-leading discussion panels and conferences in the UK and Europe is a testament to his commitment to staying at the forefront of industry discussions and developments. He was invited to speak in Dubai as part of COP28's Expo City Farm program and has participated in events such as Food Navigator's Climate Smart Food Summit, Food Manufacture magazine's Scope 3 Emissions roundtable, the Livestock Supply Chain Connect expo, the LSE's Future Impact Summit, and the International Plant-Based Foods Sustainable Foods Systems conference in Brussels. With a particular specialism in the hospitality and events sector, Vincent was also invited to participate in Micebook's prestigious Ventures 23 hospitality leaders event, Sustainability Live, and UKHospitality's Welsh sustainability conference in Cardiff. These recent engagements demonstrate his ongoing commitment to staying at the forefront of industry discussions and developments, showcasing his active engagement and relevance in the field.
In addition to speaking at events, Vincent has written comment pieces for trade publications such as Farmers Guardian, New Food magazine, and Plant Based News. He has also been featured in The Guardian, The Ecologist, and The Caterer. He has also appeared on several food and farming podcasts, discussing his work, approach, and passion for the biospheric systems.
You can contact him via drvincentwalsh@icloud.com or follow him on LinkedIn
Collaborating with people, communities, farmers, brands, start-ups, developers, PLCs, NGOs and cities. To be environmentally aware, put carbon in the soil, raise biodiversity by creating, designing and implementing regenerative landscapes and farms, focused on resilient food infrastructures across different scales and intersections.
Dr Vincent is critical to the development of our internal Apprenticeship programmes to help shape and develop the right qualifications we need for the skills development of our people but at the same time raise awareness and understanding. Dr Vincent is inspirational, engaging and an expert in this field and having this expertise more available will only accelerate the developments of our Apprenticeship offer and programmes.
Jonathan Foot, Head of Apprenticeships - Compass Group
You will not find a more energetic and dynamic person who is committed to bringing about change in regenerative agriculture, and striving to make the world a better place. A bundle of ideas, creativity and energy, Vincent is great fun to work with - and Levy is a better company for our association with him
Jon Davies, Managing Director, Levy UK + Ireland
I've had the pleasure to work with Dr Walsh since the completion of his PhD. He brings a tremendous amount of energy and optimism to his practice. The Bioplous Group appointed him to support our technology rollout into the UK market - he enabled a range of high profile Leads with tech organisations and property developers.
Prof Istvan kenyeres - CEO Bioplous Group
“Dr Walsh is a natural communicator who brings enthusiasm, ambition and energy to every project he is involved in. He also relishes a challenge, and combines blue sky thinking with a tenacious, practical and pragmatic approach to overcoming barriers and tackling problems. He engages and connects with all kinds of people and different types of communities at every level.
Richard Bond, Communications Strategist.
“Few people understand better than Vincent how to apply agro-tech, permaculture, agroforestry and other systems to urban farming. His grasp of creatively integrating food production, community cohesion and biodiversity represent whole systems ecology to address many of the transformative challenges we face in the future.
Dr. David Haley - Academic & ecological artist.
Dr. Walsh is a very unique entrepreneur. He combines multidisciplinary expertise – design, architecture, agroforestry – with an infectious passion for environment, food and social interactions. His endless energy matches his talent and originality in for designing concepts that blend science & human experiences in impactful and memorable ways”.
Dr. Claudio Marinelli. 2020 - Business Mentor