Anthera Remediation Technologies (Anthera) has been named a Tier 3 Innovation Showcase Finalist in the National Climate Tech Accelerator (NCTA), a UK-wide programme delivered by Sustainable Ventures and Barclays Eagle Labs to support the growth and development of climate technology startups.
The finalist designation places Anthera in Tier 3, the competition level of the accelerator, and provides the company with entry into the NCTA pitch competition. Tier 3 finalists also receive accreditation, media support and increased exposure through the program, with the NCTA Pitch Winner recognized at the Barclays national entrepreneur awards.
The National Climate Tech Accelerator is designed specifically for UK-registered companies whose core activities address climate change and that demonstrate an ambition to grow and scale their impact. The program combines business development resources, mentoring, investor connections and opportunities for national visibility.
“Being selected as a Tier 3 Innovation Showcase Finalist is another important step as we work to move Anthera’s technology from development toward broader commercial application,” said Dr. Cecilia MacLeo, Founder and Managing Partner, Anthera. “Water treatment is increasingly interconnected with the challenges of energy use, resource conservation and climate resilience. The National Climate Tech Accelerator gives us an opportunity to demonstrate how our technology can contribute to addressing those challenges while connecting with the expertise and resources needed to scale.”
Anthera is developing advanced photocatalytic oxidation technology to address persistent contaminants and complex water and wastewater treatment challenges. Initially demonstrated through PFAS destruction, the platform is designed to operate under ambient conditions while reducing the energy, cost and infrastructure demands associated with conventional treatment methods.
The NCTA brings together the climate-tech expertise of Sustainable Ventures and the entrepreneurial network of Barclays Eagle Labs. Across its three tiers, participating companies can access resources ranging from digital learning and specialist mentoring to investor connections and business support.
Anthera’s selection comes as the company continues to advance its technology and explore applications extending beyond PFAS treatment. The finalist designation provides an additional platform for Anthera to present its technology and its potential environmental and commercial impact to the UK climate-tech ecosystem.
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 WYG 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.
