Mark Warburton, Co-Founder, Programmer

Mark is BETH’s creator and initial programmer. He is also a lawyer, patent and trade mark attorney (with 20+ years experience), with an LLB an Honours Degree in Biochemistry.

Mark uses BETH in his patent attorney practice daily.

Always an avid programmer, Mark partially funded his university degree by creating the first website of the Constitutional Court of South Africa (in the days before WordPress when websites were coded from scratch).

Mark has written custom software to automate a manufacturing plant for high voltage transformers, as well as creating the first intranet and file location software for a major New Zealand patent attorney firm.

BETH is Mark’s most sophisticated digital creation.

Cathryn Warburton, Co-Founder, Business Manager

With 20+ years of experience as a patent and trade mark attorney, Cathryn Warburton is no stranger to innovation.

Cathryn founded multi-international award winning IP firm www.acacialaw.com in 2003 (and was joined in that business by Mark a year later).

When a key staff member left Acacia Law unexpectedly in 2018, Cathryn and Mark brainstormed to create BETH, to fill the gap left by the staff member and augment the capacity of remaining staff.

Seeing how BETH revolutionized Acacia Law (reporting of official correspondence cut from several months, to just one day) Cathryn realized that BETH is a piece of software that could transform the entire IP industry.

Erica Smith, IT & Programming Advisor

Erica has hands-on IT and programming experience since 2006 and a BSE Hons in Computer Software Engineering. Erica has worked as an analyst, director of engineering and a CTO across a range of industries. Her industry insights make her a sought-after speaker on various IT topics.

Erica’s IT experience spans a a wide variety of industries, from healthcare, education and non-profits through to marketing and ecommerce. She is a tech stack polyglot, who is passionate about building companies up through high functioning, autonomous teams of skilled professionals. 

Duncan Wallace, ICT Industry Advisor

Duncan has 30+ years experience in the ICT sector. He has a wealth of experience in business from his positions as Advisor – NBN Service Delivery Remediation, IOT Business Development Strategy at Tata Communications Transformation Services (TCTS). He is also Managing Director of Optimal Progress where he focusses on Business Transformation, Cost Optimisation, Customer Experience, and appropriate Technology. In his position at Optimal Progress, he provides strategic advice and creates bespoke solutions to Government agencies, Corporates and Small Medium businesses in Culture & Adaptability, Commercial & Financial discipline, Customer operations and Technology management.

Cerasela Tanasescu, Business Advisor Australia
Director, La Trobe Accelerator Program

Cerasela is Director of the La Trobe University Accelerator Program.  Cerasela has years of experience working in universities’ incubators as a senior manager, as well as holding several senior management positions at ESSEC Business School in Paris.

https://www.latrobe.edu.au/industry-and-community/research-partnerships-with-industry/accelerator

Marcus Powe, Business Advisor, International Markets

Marcus Powe has managed, led and owned organisations in the fields of textiles, scientific instrumentation, education, information technology, consumer software development and tourism. As an advisor and facilitator of change to boards and senior decision makers across tertiary and secondary education, pharmaceutical, medical devices, medical communications, city and state governments, fast moving consumer goods, beverage and entertainment industries, he has achieved sustained success for over 35 years. 

Graham Nel, Business Advisor, New Zealand

Graham has a particular interest in and knowledge of the businesses in New Zealand.

Founder of Multi-award winning earthquake safety professional business, which has become a trusted supplier of earthquake safety services to Government Departments, Civil Defence, businesses and medical facilities. Under Graham’s leadership, Disaster Prepare Pty Ltd has negotiated collaborations with international companies including in Mexico and California, to enhance the safety of populations in earthquake danger zones.

Jeannette Barredo, Research, Administration and Marketing

Jeannette is a digital native with a keen interest in social media and research. Her duties include research, administration and social media marketing.