Our Team
Rebekah Shaman
Managing Director, British Hemp Alliance
From 2006-2010, Rebekah was Founder and Director of Hemp Global Solutions Ltd, growing hemp research crops in the UK with De Montfort University, Emerson and Hadlow Agricultural College, and educating on the importance of Industrial Hemp crop for medicine, nutrition, fuel and shelter. She sold hemp seed and hemp protein powder and also created ‘Hempower,’ a unique hemp porridge, under her food label AMARU. Rebekah has also been heavily involved in promoting and supporting the environmental impact of hemp and how it can help the UK reach its Net Zero targets. She is Managing Director of the British Hemp Alliance, and sits on the Secretariat Advisory Board for the All Parliamentary Party Group on CBD and Industrial Hemp.
Nathaniel Loxley
Director of Research, British Hemp Alliance
Nathaniel is an experienced hemp grower and business owner involved in the development of innovative novel biobased products and developing market opportunities.
His role in the BHA is coordinating research projects, including the Innovative Farmer x BHA field lab in which farmer members within the Alliance participated in actively measuring and monitoring the effect of hemp cultivation on soil health, carbon sequestration and biodiversity. The Centre for High Carbon Cropping Centre (CHCx3) project aims to develop a standardized methodology to roll out to the wider hemp growing community. Whilst hemp is scheduled as a narcotic, we are very restricted, but by gathering real tangible data on the impact of growing the crop, we can argue for the inclusion of hemp as an agricultural crop and to be used for nutrient mitigation of Brownfield sites and soils in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs).
Paul Dovey
Agricultural Advisor, British Hemp Alliance
Paul Dovey is a purpose-driven regenerative farming professional with over 35 years of experience in farm management. Fuelled by a genuine desire to shape the future of farming, his passion lies in regenerative farming systems, emphasising biodiversity, climate-smart practices, building healthy soils and carbon sequestration. As a Regenerative Agricultural Consultant at Re-Vert Agriculture in West Sussex, he aids farmers in transitioning to nature-friendly practices, resulting in improved efficiency, innovation, biodiversity, and alignment with net-zero ambitions.
Paul's eureka moment came during his conventional agricultural studies when he encountered Nick Lampkin's book on Organic Farming. Paul was also fortunate enough to work with Alan York for five years, During this period, Alan passed on masses of knowledge including the benefits of growing hemp for soil health and carbon capture. When not farming, Paul enjoys walking his Cocker Spaniel, Fynn, on the local beach.
Libby Furminger
Project Manager, British Hemp Alliance
Libby Served previously as an Honorary Research Assistant for Drug Science, having co-founded and co-chaired the Drug Science Student Society Network (SSN) as well as volunteering with Medical Cannabis. Following her experience at Drug Science Libby became the First Ambassador of the Cannabis Industry Council and expanded her experience around cannabis.
Her role in the BHA involves planning, organizing, leading, and controlling the execution of the Centre for High Carbon Cropping Centre (CHCx3) Knowledge Hub.