Brett Thompson

Educational background: (Univ Stellenbosch) Honours in Economics with special interest in Microeconomics, Food Security and Game Theory

Brett Thompson's career has centered on advancing alternative proteins and cultivated meat innovation. Initially while pursuing economics degrees, he researched the economic rationale behind plant-based diets. Brett then spent a decade directing marketing and sales at South Africa's largest meat alternative producer. This built commercial skills while allowing pursuit of animal advocacy in parallel as an advisor for groups like Beyond Carnism and ProVeg International.

Seeing immense potential to enact change within food systems, Brett returned to South Africa and founded the non-profit Credence Institute in 2018. Through Credence, he launched initiatives like Animal Advocacy Africa working to direct more funding towards African animal welfare groups. Another internal project researched consumer views on cultivated meat, planting the seeds for Brett's next endeavour.

Recognising an opportunity to drive access to cell-cultured proteins across Africa, Brett co-founded Newform Foods in 2020. He has since led the company in developing a breakthrough bio-manufacturing platform to empower food brands to integrate cultivated meat. His career has equipped Brett with a rare blend of nonprofit impact experience and commercial ability to convert Newform's differentiated technology into consumer reality.