Michael Balz
Dave Ross
Ben Shaw
Benjamin Shaw is the president and chief executive officer of Covetrus. Previously, he served as the CEO, president, and co-founder of Vets First Choice for nearly 8 years. Ben also cofounded private investment partnership Black Point Group, where he was a partner for 14 years. He holds a B.A. in biology, political science, and environmental studies from Bates College.
Jean-Luc Michel
After graduating from the University of Pharmacy of Lyon with a Doctorate and from EM Lyon Business School with an MBA, Jean-Luc Michel started his career by creating his own consultancy company. He joined the pharmaceutical industry in 1991 spending 10 years developing a solid expertise in consumer healthcare and nutrition. During this period, he held a variety of senior marketing and sales management positions in France at Monsanto (Searle) and at Johnson&Johnson / Merck & Co where he was an Executive Committee member of the French subsidiary.
In 2001, Jean-Luc joined Merial, a leader in the animal health industry, where he held some key senior roles, such as EMEA Marketing Director of the Companion Animal Global Enterprise; Head of Marketing EMEA; Executive Marketing Director (Pet Business) in the US; VP, Head of Pet Vet Business Unit; and in 2016 joined the Executive Committee of Merial as Head of Global Commercial Development.
After the acquisition of Merial by Boehringer Ingelheim, Jean-Luc was appointed Head of Global Companion Animal Strategic Business Unit and became a member of the Executive Committee of the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Business Unit.
Justin Sherrard
As Global Strategist Animal Protein, Justin Sherrard is responsible for the timely and agenda-setting analysis of issues of strategic importance to animal protein companies around the world.
In his research and client engagement, Justin focusses on business opportunities in animal protein through, for example, increased production efficiencies, better access to growth markets and stronger supply chain models.
Prior to his current role, Justin has worked at RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness as Global Manager Research, Global Strategist F&A Supply Chains, and General Manager of Food & Agribusiness Research for Rabobank in Australia and New Zealand. He joined Rabobank in 2009.
Justin has also worked as an independent advisor to leading blue chip companies, not-for-profit organisations and governments, applying his knowledge of food & agribusiness, energy and natural resources issues, including sustainability and climate change.
Justin has over 20 years of global experience having worked in Europe, the United States, Latin America, New Zealand as well as his native Australia. He holds a Master of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
Linda Dixon
Linda Dixon’s research is focused on the functional genomics of African swine fever virus (ASFV) aimed at understanding mechanisms of immune evasion and pathogenesis and application of this knowledge to development of vaccines. This large DNA virus causes a haemorrhagic fever of pigs with a high socio-economic impact in affected countries. The lack of a vaccine limits options for disease control.
Linda’s group has focussed on research underpinning the development of effective vaccines. Their approach has been to determine genome sequences of virulent and attenuated (weakened) isolates to help define the molecular determinants of virulence and identify those genes involved in evading host defences. The group has characterised ASFV proteins that inhibit host pathways involved in activating the host’s defences. These include proteins that inhibit host gene expression (transcription) responses, signal molecule induction and stress-activated responses. This knowledge has been applied to the rational development of candidate live attenuated ASFV vaccines by targeted gene deletions.
In collaboration with the Vaccinology Group they have compared host responses in vitro (in glass) and in vivo (in animal) and induction of protective immune responses in pigs immunised with these gene manipulated and natural attenuated ASFV strains. The group has also collaborated with these groups and The Jenner Institute to screen ASFV antigens for those important in induction of protective immunity, in particular those which induce strong immune (CD8+ T cell) responses. This information will be applied to development of candidate virus-vectored vaccines.
In addition Linda provides advice on ASFV nationally to Defra and internationally as an OIE expert and is Chair of the Asfarviridae Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses and a Jenner Institute Investigator.
