Who are we - The Team

John Polden
Chairman

An electronic engineer by training, and formerly an investment manager and partner with the technology-focussed venture capital company MTI Partners Limited, John has been actively involved in the raising of more than £150m, and participated in Chairman/Director/support roles in fifteen of MTI’s investments.

As well as Chairing Syrinix, John is Chairman of the Iceni Seedcorn fund and also Intelligent Fingerprinting Limited.

James Dunning
Chief Executive

James has more than 15 years experience in the utility sector. Legally trained, and a graduate of the London Business School, James has significant experience within both major corporates and in smaller, entrepreneurial scale businesses in the utility sector. Prior to joining Syrinix, he founded and successfully exited his own business.

Dr Paul Linford
Technical Director

Paul is a leading specialist in signal processing technology who has specialised for many years in water leakage incuding work with Anglian, Yorkshire and Thames Water. An electronic engineer, Paul worked initially in the defence industry before studying for his PhD at the University of East Anglia in Norwich (UEA). Subsequently he applied signal processing techniques to leak detection in water mains, collaborating with Anglian Water and Yorkshire Water. After acting as a consultant for Thames Water and other companies in the leakage field, Paul formed Syrinix as a university spinout company.

Chris Hegley
Business Development Director

Chris has spent 30 years in the global water industry spanning design, construction, operations and commercial ventures. Chris has worked with and for leading water sector organisations globally, including Thames Water, Veolia and American Water, along with major international consulting and contracting organisations. Chris has occupied senior technical, operational and development roles across the UK, US, Middle East and Africa.

Simon Platten
Senior Embedded Software Engineer

A specialist in designing control, monitoring and communication systems using leading edge IT developments, Simon has gained experience across a number of industries related to pipeline installation and management. This range of real world challenges has taken him from factory processes in food and pharmaceuticals, through pipeline and cable laying in hostile undersea environments, to oil and gas pipeline issues in the offshore energy exploration sector.

Neil Pitcher
Technician

Neil served his apprenticeship as an electronics technician primarily in the media sector, and has substantial specialist knowledge in this discipline. His all-round business experience has also included positions in sales, production and manufacturing.

Anita Hadlow

Finance and General Manager

Anita has more than 25 years experience, gained in the private and public sectors, and is responsible for Syrinix’s financial administration as well as the day to running of the office in Norwich.  Anita’s experience encompasses organisations small and large, including the Norfolk Constabulary, with a primary focus on accounts administration as well as HR support.

Bob Pearson
Embedded Software Engineer

Bob has 20 years’ experience in the IT sector and has worked extensively in the UK and overseas.  A specialist in hardware to micro controller integration, Bob currently works as an embedded software engineer for Syrinix. During his career Bob has worked in several fields including management, embedded programming, GUI programming, electronics design and test jig design. He has also provided technical support and direction for integration solutions and system troubleshooting.