SME News- CEO of the Year Awards 2023 | 12 Outbreaks of plant diseases are becomingly increasingly common across the globe, and with such diseases comes a greater risk of the security of our food chain becoming compromised. Exacerbated by the global pandemic and its continuing effects, the health of millions of people was, and continues to be, put at risk. If we can reduce plant disease and provide a stable and nutritious food supply this will help maintain human health and reduce vulnerability to future viruses and infections. To address such challenges, solutions inclusive of disease surveillance and detection sensors will be needed to manage future outbreaks. Virus Shield Biosciences Limited can tackle and meet these demands, with CEO Craig Shaw at the helm. Virus Shield Biosciences Limited are putting innovation into practise by pioneering products and application protocols that can manage any future plant disease outbreaks effectively. This will maximise yields and put healthy, sustainable foods on tables around the globe. Craig Shaw is CEO of the company and spearheads these new remedies. The company has the following defined sectors: animal sciences, air quality, human health, soil sciences, as well as shipping and logistics. Craig’s wife, Jill Shaw, founded the company to combat Covid infections and began researching infection prevention in animals. When Craig became the CEO, they worked on new sectors and developed products accordingly. Today, the company’s range is extensive, and ideal for any setting where the cleanliness of humans and animals alike is of the uppermost priority. The products are utilised in agriculture, with imminent care offered to animals and plants, the medical industry where they are used in hospitals and other such medical settings, hospitality, since they can enhance the quality of the air when used in air conditioning, as well as being used across industrial sciences and even in vehicles. One particular area of note is the already alluded to work carried out in plant sciences, where the company utilises Craig’s expertise together with his team of scientific experts. After studying the microbiology of such infections in plants, the team determined that the fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides used on plants in our food supply contain chemicals which leave behind a residue. Bacteria, fungi, and other microbes mutate and build up a tolerance to this residue which makes these products no longer effective. This means they may not be able to combat further disease outbreaks. Virus Shield Biosciences Limited products actually breakdown the biofilm where bacteria, fungi and microbes live and breed. By eliminating some of the most robust, aggressive bacteria, environments can be created that are healthy and clean. As an example of a focus area for the company, contaminated soils have been a particular problem, and when using the company’s products on infected soils, the team have adopted the nickname, “microbial assassins.” Prior to its use on plants, this patented technology had already produced results in animal healthcare as well as human air quality, eliminating a series of moulds and mildews. Virus Shield Biosciences soon realised that it could use the same technology to combat fungal infections and leaf-based microbial infections. The products do not leave residues so mutations and chemical tolerance do not occur. Chief Technical Officer, Jeniece Schroeter, has been devising very specific application protocols to maximise efficacy while minimising product use and ensuring the lowest costs. Virus Shield Biosciences possesses a network of offices so their products can be sold to customers on a global scale. Rapid growth has been experienced not only in the realm of plant science, but also in the other sectors. The company’s ability to combat plant disease has proved instrumental in helping the company grow into one of the most promising, innovative, and revered biotech companies with Craig leading the way. Craig’s vision was to develop a global presence with worldwide distributors and resellers, so after initially opening an office in the USA this was quickly followed by offices in Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. He has also developed strong relationships with distribution partners in Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Paraguay, Argentina, and Colombia. Craig is currently working on creating additional offices in other locations so that Virus Shield Biosciences will have an office operating in almost every time zone. Craig is heavily involved in gaining the appropriate accreditations to meet the legislation demands of every country. From the company’s UK-based head office, Craig is overseeing the takeover of two manufacturing houses which will provide further sales into the medicinal cannabis and human health sectors. As a successful CEO, Craig offers some advice to those looking to follow in his footsteps, and he believes that this starts with a lot of research, in order to learn more about prospective clients and the market that one is seeking to enter into. From here, any necessary accreditations must be earned, and potential competitors should be recognised and reviewed. A business that can offer something that is totally unique is already in a strong position. Staffing is another integral part of an operation, and Craig emphasises the importance of being able to, “build the strongest team of like-minded individuals to strengthen and support you. Hardworking staff with dedication and focus are essential.” Ventures like this are rarely easy, and as Craig explains, while an individual/organisation may “move three steps forward every day, they are also likely to move two steps backwards.” Things often take longer than a person hopes or even expects, but with the right drive and an enthusiasm to get things done, targets will be achieved. Craig strives to be an inspiration to his staff, he looks for solutions not problems and pioneers new research and innovative ideas. In closing, Craig looks back on his tenure so far as CEO and recognises the hard work involved in establishing Virus Shield Biosciences and expanding it across the globe. But seeing the company is now worth an estimated £1b thanks to continued investment and his dedicated staff, for Craig, this has made it all worthwhile. Contact: Craig Shaw Company: Virus Shield Biosciences Web Address: www.vsbiosciences.com Most Innovative Biotech CEO - UK
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