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Charles Simons

Chief Sales & Revenue Officer


Charles Simons


  • Position: Chief Sales & Revenue Officer at BioScout

  • Location: Orange, NSW, Australia


Professional Background:
Charles Simons is an adept and results-oriented Viticulturist and General Manager with over 25 years of experience in international viticulture and winemaking. His professional journey showcases a consistent record of innovation and success in the agriculture sector.

Current Role at BioScout:
As the Chief Sales & Revenue Officer at BioScout, Charles Simons plays a crucial role in spearheading the company's revenue strategies and sales operations. He is actively involved in refining BioScout's technology, which focuses on transforming traditional spore trapping into an automated, highly efficient process for real-time disease management. This includes continuous capture of pathogens and particles, supported by detailed microscopic imagery to monitor crop health more effectively.

In his LinkedIn post dated June 6, 2024, Charles stated, "These units have transformed the way I grow grapes," emphasizing the substantial impact of BioScout's technology in practical agriculture applications.

Key Achievements and Highlights:
1. Innovative Technology: Under Simons' leadership, BioScout's platform has become a robust tool for real-time disease management, capturing pathogens and particles in a continuous, automated process.
  • Impact: Enhanced proactive disease management on farms, contributing to improved crop health and productivity.

2. Industry Recognition: Simons has been recognized as a finalist for the '@abcnews_au Australia Farmer of the Year' award, specifically under the 'Award for Excellence in Technology' (Aug 31, 2022).
3. Award-Winning Vineyards: His 'Mayfield Block 14' Chardonnay was awarded the Trophy for the Best NSW/ACT Chardonnay at the 2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards (Nov 5, 2023).

Professional Interests and Contributions:
  • Digital Agriculture Advocator: Simons frequently discusses the relevance and integration of AI and technology in farming. He highlighted his speaking engagement at the 2024 Digital AgriFood Summit, focusing on AI's integration with Ag-Tech and its applications within BioScout.

  • Technological Innovations: He has actively contributed to transforming viticultural practices through the application of newer technologies, aiming to improve sustainability and efficiency in farming operations.

  • Data Utilization: As a General Manager and Director at Mayfield Vineyard, Simons prioritizes data as a key component of their business strategy, aligning with BioScout's vision of utilizing real-time data for disease prevention and crop management.


Additional Professional Engagements:
  • BioScout Advisory Board: Charles also serves on the advisory board for BioScout, providing strategic input and leveraging his extensive field experience to guide technological developments and deployment strategies.


Professional Network and Connectivity:
  • LinkedIn Influence: With over 2,425 followers on LinkedIn, Simons is a notable influencer in the agriculture technology sector. His posts and updates often reflect his commitment to advancing agricultural practices through cutting-edge innovations.


Challenges and Advocacy:
Simons has raised concerns regarding connectivity issues which impede the effective implementation of digital solutions on farms. Despite advancements like the NBN rollout, he advocates for improved connectivity to support essential farming operations and technology usage.

Educational Background:
  • Alma Mater: Stellenbosch University


Professional Development and Future Outlook:
Simons continues to evolve within his role, driving significant advancements in agricultural technology. His dedication to integrating AI and automation in farming practices aims to set new industry standards for disease management and crop health monitoring.

Conclusion:
Charles Simons' extensive experience and proactive approach in the viticulture and agritech sectors make him a pivotal figure at BioScout. His leadership not only advances BioScout's technological frontiers but also serves as a catalyst for broader industry advancements in digital agriculture.