Loots is the Director for Health Innovation at the Department of Science and Technology and responsible for the implementation of the health components of the Bioeconomy strategy for South Africa. She concentrates on enabling research and innovation that leads to discovery and evaluation of new drug and treatment regimes, the development of new vaccines and new robust diagnostics for the identified diseases or conditions, as well as the development of medical devices.

Møller has a Master’s degree in marine biology from the University of Aarhus and a PhD degree in chemical engineering from the Technical University of Denmark.

He is an expert in the field of industrial symbiosis, circular economy and blue biomass. Møller has a special interest in how large-scale test and demonstration, targeting blue biomass (e.g. microalgae), can assist in the up-scaling of low-value residual streams to high-value bio-products.

Leinen is Vice President:  Digital Factory & Process Industries & Drives – Southern & Eastern Africa at Siemens. He studied engineering and business administration at the University of Applied Sciences Cologne (Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln) and is an experienced senior level manager in various industries related to manufacturing and processes. Leinen joined Siemens in 1990 has been in international sales and management roles at the company’s headquarters and regions in Germany, the USA and South Africa.

Nasr is the Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space SAS and Head of France, UK, Middle East and Africa for the Airbus Defence and Space division.

His career began 1986 at Aerospatiale, where he was in charge of developing the Image Processing Business, which he led beginning 1990. 

He was named Chairman and CEO of Fleximage in Paris in 1997, which specialised in image analysis software for intelligence services. Under his leadership, Fleximage’s turnover was increased fivefold.

Strachan is currently the Deputy Director General of the Department of Trade and Industry responsible for industrial development. He chairs the Board of Directors of one of SA's foremost non-government organisations - Trade and Industrial Policy Studies. Strachan holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the London School of Oriental and African Studies.

Simalabwi is the Executive Secretary of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) Southern Africa and Head of GWP Africa Coordination Unit. He is GWP’s global lead on climate change and Global Coordinator of the Water, Climate and Development Programme at GWP HQ, an international organisation set up by the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme and government of Sweden. He is an international development professional with expertise in water resources, economic development, investment strategy design and public policy.