Our core team

Agnes Czako Airex CEO

Agnes Czako

  • Agnes has been a Lead Assessor of an energy advisory organisation since 2011 where she led the delivery of 30,000 Fuel Poverty assessments. She is a certified Passivhaus consultant with 12 years building physics experience. She has led numerous low-carbon innovation projects. Agnes holds a BSc from the University of Budapest and a Masters in Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment (IDBE) from the University of Cambridge and is winner of "Women in Innovation 2019" Innovate UK award.

Chris Stobart

  • Over the past 15 years Chris has played a critical role in the development of 17+ products for industries ranging from medical to industrial. His involvement in product development has ranged from identifying market needs, performing R&D activities, leading engineering teams, and delivering certified products to the market. Chris holds a B.Sc. in Electronics Engineering and an M.Sc. in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.

Joe McMullen

  • Joe a decade of experience within the domestic energy efficiency and fuel poverty sector. This has included research into the impacts of local and national energy policies, working with community energy groups to develop projects, and the management of retrofit programs that have helped over 10,000 households in fuel poverty. Joe holds an MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems and a BSc in Physics, both from the University of Edinburgh.

Malik Habib

  • Malik is Head of Hardware and RF at AirEx, with 17 years of experience as an electronics engineer. He specialises in bringing IoT products from concept to market, guiding them through UKCA and RED certifications. His expertise spans RF and antenna design, embedded development and rapid prototyping, ensuring robust and efficient hardware solutions. Malik holds a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Brunel University and has a proven track record in developing innovative, market-ready technologies.

Pip Watkins

  • Pip is a marketing and communications professional with over 20 years of experience, including nearly five years in climate tech. She has led strategic growth initiatives at Kensa and tepeo, driving the adoption of sustainable heating solutions. With expertise in PR, brand strategy, and event management, she has successfully launched products and campaigns that support the transition to low-carbon technologies. Pip is committed to tackling climate change and fuel poverty through impactful marketing strategies that drive real change.

Paul Robinson

  • Paul has around 20 years of experience of firmware and electronics design. He has worked on products from design concept, through to prototyping, testing and production. He specializes in embedded C for microcontrollers and holds a BEng in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from Loughborough University.

Dan Eagle

  • Dan has over eight years software development experience, with a diverse background ranging from computational physics simulations to software quality assurance to front-end development. He has previously worked at Hitchi Vantara where he helped develop and test REST APIs for hardware orchestration. Dan holds an MSc in Physics from Imperial College London, where his studies focused on the physics of the atmosphere and the Earth's climate.

Richard Kemp-Harper

  • Richard has over 15 years of experience in product and technology strategy in the energy and transport sectors. In his last role he was part of the leadership team of a zero emission transport startup that grew from 8 to 80 people and an exit in 2021. He thrives on bridging the gaps between Government, customers, technology developers and academia around innovation. He holds a degree in Chemistry and PhD in biomedical applications of NMR from Oxford University.

Heather Noble

  • Heather has 8 years of experience in the energy efficiency and decarbonisation market, including Energy Company Obligation, Warm Home Discount and PAS2035. She is skilled at developing and managing strategic relationships and has a keen focus on delivering client-focused solutions. Working across multiple complex projects, Heather prioritises planning and communication to support clients in the journey to delivering net-zero. 

Ben Yarwood

  • Ben has 10 years of experience in sales and sales operations with global organisations like CDW and sustainability-focused tech startups. He specialises in building strong client relationships, identifying opportunities, and delivering results. With a consultative approach and operational insight, Ben helps clients and teams achieve their goals while navigating complex challenges. He is passionate about driving business growth and creating meaningful outcomes that make a tangible impact.

Ryan Syrett

  • With over 15 years of experience in Supply Chain and Manufacturing, Ryan has developed a deep expertise in optimizing operations, driving efficiency, and fostering innovation across diverse industries. Known for a strong commitment to sustainability, he consistently seeks opportunities to integrate eco-friendly practices into supply chain processes and manufacturing strategies, helping organizations reduce their environmental footprint while improving performance.

Nicola Giles

  • Nicola has over a decade of experience in people operations, primarily within the national security and public sector space. Nicola commits herself to fostering a healthy and inclusive working culture, and has a passion for supporting those who make a difference. As the Head of People and Culture, Nicola is dedicated to ensuring an inclusive, collaborative and supportive working environment where every team member can contribute their best and feel valued in their roles.

Yusuf Hussain

  • Yusuf is a Firmware Engineer with four years of experience across embedded systems and software development. Having spent the last three years at Airex, he specializes in programming firmware for microcontrollers and delivering scalable software solutions in the sustainability space. Yusuf began his career in the robotics industry, where he focused on the development and commissioning of autonomous systems. He holds a BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Warwick, where his dissertation explored machine learning applications for sustainable energy.

Lee Balfour

  • Lee brings more than 20 years of experience in sales, operations, and commercial strategy, having worked for both global organisations including Samsung and mission-led startups within the technology sector. Lee has played a key role in leading and developing high performing B2B teams, and managing enterprise accounts such as the Home Office, Cabinet Office, and HS2. In partnership with consultancies, local authorities, and housing associations, Lee and his teams have successfully delivered hundreds of digital transformation projects which have significantly impacted housing portfolios and improved outcomes for vulnerable individuals.

Sahar Javaheri

  • Sahar has more than 10 years of experience in analysing large datasets, developing predictive models, and extracting valuable insights to drive informed decision-making gained in academia including a four-year research fellowship in the field of Solid State Physics. Sahar holds both a masters degree and a PhD in Condensed Matter and Materials Physics from Buali Sina University as well as a Master of Data Science degree from the University of Salford.

Caroline Greves

  • Caroline is an experienced finance leader with a background in high-growth start-ups and mission-driven organisations. She has held senior finance roles at organisations spanning markets across the UK, Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, including Octopus Electric Vehicles and agri-fintech Apollo Agriculture. Her experience spans financial strategy, operational finance, and scaling venture-backed businesses. Caroline holds an MBA from Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford and brings a strong commitment to using finance to support sustainable innovation and impactful climate solutions.

Archie Roberts

  • Archie has five years of experience in physical product design and mechanical engineering. He aims to blend creative problem solving with a strong technical background to create beautiful and highly functional products. His career has involved designing a variety of consumer products including glass rooflight systems, vacuum cleaners and mobility scooters. Archie holds a BEng in Product Design Engineering from Loughborough University.

Our Advisory Board

Julia Groves

  • For over 20 years Julia has been focused on building a more sustainable economy: whether funding renewable energy generation, making finance more democratic or creating responsible investments. A serial entrepreneur and successful angel investor in her own right, Julia joined Airex as Chair in October 2023 after setting up the Sustainability team at the British Business Bank. She also sits on the Nesta Impact Investment Committee and is a strategic adviser to Engine B.

Andrew Wordsworth

  • Andrew is a Founder and Managing Partner of Sustainable Ventures, established in 2011 with a vision of the world in which the twin challenges of climate change and resource scarcity are addressed by commercial solutions. Over the last 10 years Sustainable Ventures have founded 8 companies to this end, invested in 27 and supported a further 250. At heart though Andrew is still an entrepreneur, and through SV’s Venture Development function continue to take their own ideas from concept through to exit. Prior to establishing Sustainable Ventures, Andrew had over 15 years’ experience in the energy and climate change sector - including roles within Esso, Bain, Arthur D Little and as Managing Director of Carbon Trust Enterprises.

Alex Hook

  • Alex is a Portfolio Director in Nesta’s investment team, focusing on backing investments that align with the mission of building a sustainable future. With over 20 years of experience in venture capital, he manages Nesta’s technology venture investment portfolio, supporting early-stage businesses from seed concepts through to established Series A and B funding rounds. Prior to joining Nesta, Alex served as an investment manager at Foursome Investments (now Frog Capital), having begun his career in the design and marketing industry for firms including Conran Design Group.

John Waters

  • John is a founder member of Green Angel Syndicate, the only UK angel syndicate focusing on the battle to address climate change. For a number of the companies within his investment portfolio, John advise and mentor the CEO and senior leadership team members, providing strategic input on sales, operational and sustainability issues. John was previously with Environmental Resources Management for almost 20 years in senior executive leadership roles. In this period ERM grew to become the world's leading sustainability consultancy - supported by 4 rounds of private equity funding - with 2016 valuation of $1.7billion.