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LED horticulture lighting systems expert Steve Edwards joins to further enhance indoor farming engineering expertise

Further industry-leading expertise has been added to the CambridgeHOK team with the appointment of horticulture tech consultant Steve Edwards as Indoor Farming & Research Engineering Manager.

Mr Edwards has more than 10 years’ experience of working within the sector and specialises in LED horticulture lighting systems, the design and engineering of indoor farming facilities and the development of hydroponic and aeroponic growing systems.

He has designed and developed systems and solutions for universities, research organisations and commercial horticulture clients, establishing his own successful businesses supplying the sector in that time.

John Holland, Managing Director at CambridgeHOK, says it is another strategic addition to the team, as the company continues to take an ‘engineering-led approach’ to its work.

Mr Edwards will form part of the expanding engineering division, led by recently recruited Dr Ian MacKenzie.

“We are delighted to have added Steve to our team as he fits perfectly with our innovation and engineering-led approach. He is a highly-experienced horticulture specialist engineer with a track record of innovation throughout his career.

“Our paths have crossed on numerous projects over the years and Steve has always been held in high-regard within our business.

“We know the quality of Steve’s work, which is always entirely focussed on giving the best support to growers and going that extra mile to offer something others don’t.

“Steve was an early pioneer of broad-spectrum LED grow lights which were sold and installed into many organisations in the UK including universities, research institutions and commercial growers. He has exceptional expertise in hydroponic grow systems and indoor farm units, which is an expanding area of our work.”

Opportunity to be involved in research and Vertical Farm projects was attraction

Mr Edwards says he is excited to be given the opportunity to support the company’s ongoing research work with universities, led by Mr Holland, and to also work alongside the specialist Vertical Farming team and Commercial Director Tim Haworth.

“This is an exciting new venture for me and I am thrilled to be joining a firm which has really established itself as a leader in the field in the UK,” said Mr Edwards.

“Having known the business and people for many years, I have always been very impressed with CambridgeHOK’s professional and innovative approach.

“I think the work being done in the Vertical Farming sector is particularly impressive. The market has long talked about Vertical Farming really taking off in the UK, but it hasn’t really delivered. CambridgeHOK is delivering now though and leading the way. That makes it a very exciting time.

“I am very much driven by innovation and engineering solutions and that is exactly what this company does. There is a very broad range of industry-leading skills at the business, from the engineering team to the horticultural knowledge. I think a key part of my role will be to help bridge the gap between concept and solution.

“That will involve assessing the needs of clients and turning that into a specification for our engineering team to ensure we deliver the best commercial option for our customers. That could be through use of existing products, a mix of existing and new products or completely fresh systems and innovations. We have the ability and expertise to deliver all forms of solutions.

“I’m also excited at the prospect of being able to support the firm’s ongoing research work with universities, as I am a big believer that we always need to be gaining a better understanding of how we can improve what we do, as we can then pass those benefits on to our customers.”

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