Meet the Team

Giedre Brandao

Managing Director

Giedre Brandao is the founding Managing Director of AbBaltis Ltd. She holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts, USA and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania. Giedre started her career in the industry as a bench scientist working for companies such as Genzyme, Antigenics and GSK. She then progressed to positions in business development in the In Vitro Diagnostics sector before moving onto founding AbBaltis in 2010. In 2014 Giedre received the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Awards and AbBaltis were a finalist for the “International Business of the Year” category.  

Additionally, under her leadership, the company received the Small Business of the Year Award at the Swale Business Awards in 2013 and a Queens Award for Enterprise for International Trade in 2015. Giedre is passionate about instilling enthusiasm for future generations to join this market and is committed to investing in the local community by offering numerous student opportunities. She now lives in Sittingbourne with her husband and their four children and enjoys the life balance she achieves from owning her own business. 

Dennis Gates

Finance Manager

AbBaltis were delighted to welcome Dennis into the team in January 2015 as a Finance Manager. Dennis has a wealth of finance experience and knowledge from his career in accounts which he draws upon to continually improve our business strategy. Dennis enjoys mentoring younger staff members.

Natalie Sloan

Shipping Laboratory Supervisor

Natalie Sloan joined AbBaltis as a Laboratory Technician. She holds a BSc Honours degree in Biomedical Science, having graduated from University of Kent, Canterbury, UK in 2016. Her studies sparked an enthusiasm for haematology and immunology, leading Natalie to a career in the NHS before joining AbBaltis Ltd in June 2017.

Rik Penfold

Senior Lab Technician

Rik's role at AbBaltis is Senior Lab Technician. Rik graduated holding a first degree in Biosciences, from Canterbury Christ Church University. He originally volunteered at AbBaltis to gain some laboratory experience and based on his enthusiasm and interest in science was offered a permanent role. Rik is now responsible for AbBaltis Allergy program and performs various ELISA and Line Blot based tests.

Claire Richardson

Transport Administrator

Claire Richardson joined AbBaltis as the Transport Administrator. She holds a Business Admin NVQ Level 1, acquired at Carryline Worldwide Deliveries Ltd where she worked for 8 years in total before joining AbBaltis Ltd in December 2016. Her role includes: processing purchase orders, shipping management, creating order sheets for the Laboratory Staff, customer invoicing and other office duties. Working for AbBaltis has taught her a lot about the industry and its achievements. She enjoys working with such a hardworking and enthusiastic, friendly team of people.

Zachery Groom

Business Administrator

Zachery Groom is Business Administrator of AbBaltis. He holds a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science, which is the equivalent to three A-Levels, obtained from Canterbury College, UK. From college, Zach obtained an apprenticeship at AbBaltis as Business Administrator, due to the interest of science and background of testing and other experiments completed throughout his college course. He shows great ambition in learning the relevant work skills needed within the work place and has pride and motivation in becoming successful within the company.

Mark Swayne

Assay Development Scientist

Mark Swayne joined the AbBaltis family in June 2018, having previously worked for Novartis. Mark's role involves testing blood samples and developing tests to meet the needs of customers. Mark has a Bachelor's Degree in Biosciences from the University of Reading, and a Master's Degree in Cell Biology from the University of Kent. He loves the "innovation and flexibility" that AbBaltis provides for his work.

Vanessa Sarno

Laboratory Assistant

Vanessa Sarno began working with AbBaltis as a Laboratory Assistant in September 2018 and is currently undertaking the AbBaltis Graduate Scheme. Vanessa graduated with a degree in Biosciences from London South Bank University, and she joined the Graduate Scheme as she wanted to perfect her practical skills to complement the theory she studied during her degree, and feels the Scheme gives her the opportunity to learn about all elements of the business.

Charlotte Haynes

Shipping & Packing Assistant

Charlotte Haynes became a part of our team in August 2018 after she completed her A Levels. Her ambition was always to work in science and AbBaltis has given her that crucial first step in her career. She currently works with Natalie as our Shipping & Packing Assistant; ensuring that deliveries go out on time and are secure for transport to our clients.

Megan Goldup

Business Administration Apprentice

AbBaltis were pleased to welcome Megan Goldup to the team in October 2018. Megan is apprenticing with us, currently working with Zach in the Business Administration side of the business. She hopes that upon the completion of her apprenticeship that she will continue to develop her career with AbBaltis.