Faces of change

john kerr

John has a PhD in Chemistry from Oxford University. He currently leads our Research & Technology team in Europe. 

John is core to our sustainability team focusing on “Zero Discharge” for the business. As a chemist, John believes that every atom and molecule that we use and discard has a hidden value. He and his team are looking at how we can convert our “waste” in to someone else’s treasure: leading innovative projects to convert our “waste” into co-products for both the construction and urban greening sectors.  

John also has a central role helping the business reach net zero through energy efficiency and emissions control, including leading our Carbon Capture and Utilization work, as well as our water use efficiency and re-use projects. 

Gaynor Powley

Gaynor joined Tate & Lyle in 2002 and is currently Senior Director, Human Resources Europe. She has a broad role focusing on both operational and strategic priorities relating to our talent and culture.  

Gaynor leads our People & Purpose strategic pillar and recently successfully implemented our Employer of Choice Commitment in Europe, a key part of our sustainability journey. We aim to drive personal, professional and economic growth whilst ensuring social responsibility and community involvement remain key tenets of our business model.  

Zarreen Mokaddam

Zarreen is a qualified Engineer, with a Master’s degree focused on Environmental Engineering from Imperial College London. She joined Tate & Lyle Sugars in 2019. 

Zarreen is responsible for managing environmental compliance and the implementation of environment management systems at Tate & Lyle Sugars, by identifying, solving and alleviating environmental issues, such as pollution, water and waste treatment in compliance with the relevant environmental legislation. 

Chris Abell

Chris has a Politics and Sociology Degree from Edinburgh University, and joined Tate & Lyle Sugars in 2017. 

Chris is responsible for real estate, planning and property for our Thames Refinery and Plaistow Wharf factory. Chris also helps build relationships between Tate & Lyle Sugars and the local Newham area working with politicians, civil servants, businesses, charities, community groups and local citizens on a wide range of issues – most often as part of a collaborative community wealth building agenda. Chris is a Trustee of one of our long-standing charity partners the Royal Docks Learning & Activity Centre.  

Akash Brahmkshatriya

Akash has a chemistry degree from Gujarat University and joined Tate & Lyle Sugars in 2019.  

Akash manages our apprenticeship programme, and has overseen its growth from just a few apprentices in 2019 to 30 apprentices across our Thames Refinery and Plaistow Wharf factories today. Akash has expanded apprenticeships across both operations and non-operations, providing colleagues with the skills, knowledge and tools they need to not only grow their careers, but to add value to the business.  

He has also been instrumental in our innovative approach to transferring the balance of our apprenticeship levy to our charity partner 15Billionebp, who are funding three Careers Adviser apprenticeships with the money, thereby enabling the charity to support more young people to realise their potential and transform their futures. 

Ruqayyah Khankhara

Ruqayyah is a Laboratory Analyst in our Quality team, and joined Tate & Lyle Sugars in 2021 when she was 18. 

Ruqayyah joined the company with little in the way of work experience through a special internship program to give opportunities to young people in Newham, East London. Ruqayyah took the conscious decision to try this different route into the workplace, rather than heading to university. Joining at just 18 years old, Ruqayyah was quickly offered a full-time role when her skills and determination shone through. Today, 18 months later, Ruqayyah expertly performs over 30 different laboratory tests and even trains new starters. 

Ruqayyah won The Rising Star Award at the Society of Food Hygiene and Technology Annual Awards 2022.