Anthera Remediation Technologies (A.R.T.) has recently been selected by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) to participate in the 2026 PFAS Innovation Cohort through the organisation’s Change Makers initiative.
The cohort brings together emerging companies, researchers, and innovators focused on addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing communities and industries worldwide: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals.”
PFAS compounds have been widely used for decades in industrial processes and consumer products because of their resistance to heat, water, and oil. However, that same persistence has created significant environmental and public health concerns as these compounds accumulate in water supplies, soil, and ecosystems.
As regulatory scrutiny increases and cleanup requirements expand across the United Kingdom and globally, organisations are searching for remediation solutions that are not only effective, but also scalable, energy-efficient, and economically viable.
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s PFAS Innovation Cohort was created to support technologies and organisations working to advance meaningful progress in this area. The programme focuses on innovators developing solutions for PFAS detection, treatment, destruction, and sustainable alternatives.
For A.R.T., participation in the cohort represents an important milestone in the company’s mission to advance sustainable PFAS remediation technologies capable of addressing contamination challenges without relying on highly energy-intensive treatment methods.
A.R.T.’s remediation platform is designed to degrade harmful PFAS compounds in contaminated water while supporting more practical and cost-effective deployment opportunities for industrial and environmental applications.
“We are honored to be selected by the Royal Society of Chemistry and excited to collaborate with other innovators working to address the global PFAS challenge,” said Dr. Cecilia MacLeod, Managing Director, A.R.T. “This recognition reinforces the importance of accelerating sustainable remediation technologies that can help industries and communities respond to evolving environmental demands.”
The company looks forward to participating in the 2026 cohort and contributing to ongoing collaboration and innovation surrounding PFAS remediation and environmental sustainability.
To learn more about the Royal Society of Chemistry Change Makers PFAS Cohort, visit the Change Makers website.
To learn more about Anthera Remediation Technologies, visit: antheraremediation.com
Commercial Director
Gareth is an investment and advisory professional with 40+ years’ experience across financial services, natural capital, and clean/climate technologies. He co-founded Climate Change Capital in 2002 and has been Managing Partner at Beetle Capital Partners LLP since 2008, with a proven track record in pioneering innovation in sustainability, scaling transformative businesses, and navigating complex multi-stakeholder environments.
Throughout his career, Gareth has developed close collaborative relationships with academic researchers and policy makers, to spearhead groundbreaking projects that have paved the way for advancements in environmental technologies, including the launch of a number of successful startups. He now focuses on supporting entrepreneurs and early-stage companies on their journey to Series A.
Finance & Operations Director
Leonardo brings nearly 15 years of experience identifying and seizing opportunities, building high-performance teams, and developing systems and processes that create efficiencies, increase productivity, and drive business results to his role at A.R.T.
After almost a decade-long career in Morgan Stanley, Leonardo obtained an MBA from Imperial College to pursue his passion for translating science into impactful outcomes.
He brings proven expertise in strategic financial planning, funding initiatives, and leading high-performing teams to achieve critical financial objectives and operational excellence.
At A.R.T., Leonardo utilizes his extensive experience in financial and business planning, resource allocation, and financial reporting to provide strategic direction, decision-support, and leadership for the company’s growth strategy.
Chief Scientific Advisor
An environmental scientist with over 11 years of post-graduate experience, David brings hands-on expertise in managing complex remediation projects, having served as technical lead on several large-scale sites.
He previously managed an R&D laboratory for a remediation contractor, overseeing multiple PFAS-related projects, including assessments of destructive processes and stabilization methods.
Building on his experience with NAPL remediation and the challenges encountered in the field, David developed an innovative LNAPL probe, earning the 2017 Brownfield Briefing Award and the 2019 Spill Response Innovation Award for its development, commercialization, and successful application.
His recent work for a nuclear-sector client includes project management for the development of new treatment media to mitigate a radioactive groundwater plume. David also collaborates with several UK universities, guest lecturing to postgraduate groups and supervising MSc research projects—15 of which he has guided to completion.
He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Southampton and currently serves as Chair of the SoBRA NAPL Sub-Group and a member of CIWEM’s Contaminated Land Technical Group.
Managing Director
An environmental geochemist with over 40 years of experience in contamination assessment and remediation, Cecilia has been actively engaged in PFAS investigation and research since 2005. While completing her PhD at Princeton University, she played a key role in evaluating and reclaiming disused gravel pits using digested sewage sludge through a joint initiative with the U.S. Geological Survey and the New Jersey Governor’s Task Force.
During her postdoctoral work at Imperial College, Cecilia managed microbiology research for PhD and MSc students, later developing a successful MSc program in Water, Waste, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Greenwich. She has also collaborated academically with the University of Nottingham and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Beyond academia, Cecilia has served as Technical Director for both WIG and Arcadis. She currently sits on the CIRIA PFAS Working Group, where she contributed to the technical review of CIRIA’s recently published PFAS guidance. In addition, she chairs the Steering Committee for projects focused on Climate Change and Development and the Management of Microplastics.
