International Pheromone Systems

Graeme Hartley

Managing Director International Pheromone Systems Ltd.
Graeme took over the reins for IPS in 2016. His degree in business, wide ranging project management experience and solid business development knowledge in the food Ingredients industry are proving very valuable as IPS grows ever more successful.

He lives with his partner Tamsin and his two children, Florence (age 5) & Fearne (age 1), plus Rolla (a rescue dog, originally from Spain, via a UK based sniffer dog business, who unfortunately didn’t make the grade)

Absolute hate: Graeme thinks the word absolutely is too strong a word, but he doesn’t like people treating others, how they wouldn’t like to be treated themselves – basically bullies!

When it comes to food traditional seems to have his vote, i.e. roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and some fine vegetables, however he is a real food fan so it’s hard to choose for him.

And when he has not much else to do, he used to run and go to the gym & five a side football - however, now it’s family time, which keeps him very fit (surprisingly).

Graeme calls New Brighton, the seaside town of Wallasey in the Wirral his home.
Nothing like a strong breeze to blow the cobwebs away to make important decisions, is there?

Graeme does: Business development and involved in everything else to do with the business (which is getting less as we keep getting star employees through the door…)

Neil Street

Operations Manager International Pheromone Systems
Neil joined IPS in 2016 with over 22 years of experience in the food industry having run four multi-functional production facilities.

He lives with his wife Victoria and his two daughters Madeline & Matilda, which might sometimes prove to be a little challenging as his absolute hate is… shopping.

When it comes to food Neil seems to have a penchant for the U.S. food culture. Eggs Benedict are his firm favourite. The question we could not get answered though: with bacon or ham…

He enjoys spending his spare time, when he has any, doing something/anything with cars. A true petrol head we wonder…

Neil’s home is a 1930’s semi in Prenton in the Wirral. We bet he can hear the cheers when Tranmere Rovers FC is winning at home!

Neil does: A brilliant job making sure quality goods are produced for IPS’s diverse customer base and, of course, makes sure IPS stays ahead of the competition.

Sam Jones

Technical Manager International Pheromone Systems
Sam joined IPS in 2013 with his impressive accolades of DPhil Chemical Ecology, MSc Entomology, BSc Hons Chemistry, BSc Hons Zoology Entomologist, and Chemical Ecologist. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of The World BioProtection Forum (WBF) in order to help drive the organisation’s activities and advance the bioprotection sector globally.

He lives with his wife Rachel and Viscount Stanley. No, it’s not what you may think – it is his pet dog!

To get into his good books you might want to serve him up his favourite food of some Gouda cheese or lasagne – preferably both! Just don’t add okra as a vegetable, he really dislikes it.

Another one of Sam’s great dislikes are traffic jams, which he unfortunately encounters on a relatively regular basis when travelling from his home in the North Wales countryside.

When he finally has time to relax, you’ll either find him in the garden or trying to beat someone at a board game.

Sam does: A job, which is of utmost importance to IPS and our customers. He leads all research and development and maintains the high effectiveness and quality of our product range. Sam also manages our growing technical department.

Payman Shafighi

Entomological Scientist at International Pheromone Systems
Payman joined IPS in 2017 bringing with him his expertise having worked in the biocide, pesticide and plant protection industry.

Currently not living far from our location in the Wirral, he shares his home with “all other creatures in the word” And yes, we have had them visit our facilities, too! IPS had a memorable encounter with one of his stick insects…

One trait, which Payman intensely dislikes is hypocrisy, something he is unlikely to encounter with his current house mates.

His favourite food may just also be a hint towards his origins. Serving him with Ghorme Sabzi (not many of you know what this may be.) It’s a Persian dish – a Persian herb stew.

When Payman is not working or looking after his creatures at home, he likes to indulge in photography, video editing, singing and travelling.

Payman does: The important job of laboratory analysis and product development

Neil Stevenson

Production Manager International Pheromone Systems Ltd.
Neil joined us in 2012 and is an important asset to the business, well – we think so anyway…

He lives with Anna, his partner of 25 years and his children Oliver and Ava in Ellesmere Port on the south eastern edge of the Wirral Peninsula.

Absolute hate: Unsurprisingly Neil is not very fond of people being late and/or unorganised. After all, in his role all needs to run smoothly and on time!

If you should need to ‘butter’ him up, it might be an idea to present him with his favourite food of blue Stilton cheese and crackers.

When time allows, you’ll likely find him watching Liverpool FC, which is not surprising, as Neil is originally from Liverpool. Mind you, watching his son Oliver play football might even be better than that.

Add a nice beer and a BBQ in the garden and he is a happy man!

Neil does: Making sure all goods are manufactured correctly and efficiently in a timely manner for our valued customers.

Andrew McDougall

Laboratory Coordinator at the Pest Research Hub, International Pheromone Systems Ltd.
Andrew certainly knows his ‘stuff’ with more than 30 years’ experience in Research & Development and analysis gained at companies such as Shell Global Solutions and Caleb Brett Intertek.

He lives with his wife Faith and two cats, Pippa & Tilly in Wallasey at the mouth of the river Mersey.

Absolute hate: Being late for appointments and, understandably, when Liverpool FC loses.

Andy could have a fight on his hands, when it comes to his favourite food and might well have to hide it from his cats, as it generally Japanese cuisine, but specifically Tempura Prawns and Sushi!

He likes being very active by playing football and Squash. Nowadays, however, due to knee problems, it’ll be walking, watching Liverpool FC or travelling.
Andy does: Research & Development projects for IPS and/or our clients and, of course pheromone blending!

Sue Harbottle-Sear

Managing Director Konzepts Ltd.
Sue has been working as a retained contractor for International Pheromone Systems since 2019 and brings with her a wealth of knowledge in marketing, all things social media and international business development.

Having farming in her DNA, she lives in a Victorian semi in the beautiful countryside on the East Sussex/Kent border surrounded by apple orchards with her two cats Leo and Louis.

Insincerity, Sue’s main dislike, is a trait certainly not found in her two companions.

As with Payman, her origins can be discovered via her favourite food of Bratwurst & Pommes, a German street food of a specific sausage and chips, preferrable with German mustard and chips covered in mayonnaise.

When time permits Sue can be found roaming the wide countryside around her with her camera. Her love of macro photography often discovers stunning images, not seen with a casual glance.

Sue does: All things marketing and is responsible for the new product and corporate brand strategy and look.

Suzi Christie BA MCIPR

Managing Director Blueberry Public Relations Ltd.
Suzi joined International Pheromone Systems a retained contractor in early 2021 with extensive public relations and communications experience across private and public sectors.

As may be expected of a PR specialist she absolutely hates grammatical errors, particularly as it can change the meaning of a sentence completely!

Suzi’s hobby is tennis, an activity, which may not be surprising, considering that the Eastbourne International Tennis tournament is held not far from her home in Hailsham, East Sussex.

She shares her home with her teenage son and a very fluffy Alaskan Malamute called Marnie.

We’d love to know which camp Suzi falls into with her favourite food of homemade scones, jam and clotted cream. Perhaps the clue is the sequence?

Suzi does: All things PR related for International Pheromone Systems with responsibility of raising the profile of the business and safeguarding its reputation.