Marcus Whately – The Visionary British Entrepreneur Transforming Energy, Food, and Technology
Who Is Marcus Whately?
Marcus Whately is a British entrepreneur, investor, and business leader known for his exceptional contributions to the energy, food, and technology sectors. Over the past 25 years, he has built and scaled multiple companies that combine innovation, sustainability, and commercial success. A graduate of the University of Oxford with a degree in Biological Sciences, Marcus Whately has developed a career defined by purpose — creating sustainable infrastructure and championing clean technology.
His remarkable journey includes co-founding Estover Energy Ltd, leading GrowUp Farms, and building the Artisan Software and Technology Group. Each of these ventures has shaped his reputation as one of the UK’s most forward-thinking business figures.
Marcus Whately’s Early Life and Education
Marcus Whately studied Biological Sciences at Trinity College, University of Oxford, between 1995 and 1998. His academic foundation in biology would later become a cornerstone in his approach to sustainability and innovation. While many of his peers entered academia or corporate life, Whately took an entrepreneurial route — blending science, business, and technology into a single long-term mission: to make industries greener and smarter.
The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins – Artisan Software and Technology Group
Before making his mark in renewable energy and food sustainability, Marcus Whately founded the Artisan Software and Technology Group in 2001. The company began as a small B2B software business that he grew through both organic expansion and acquisitions.
Under his leadership, Artisan became a Microsoft Gold Partner, delivering enterprise-grade technology solutions to major clients including Starbucks, GlaxoSmithKline, Deloitte, and Autoglass. His ability to lead technical teams and manage corporate partnerships established his reputation as a capable and visionary CEO.
After six years of steady growth, Whately sold the company in 2007 to Teksys, which later became part of Dimension Data / NTT. This marked the first major exit in his career and demonstrated his strength in building scalable businesses.
Marcus Whately and Estover Energy – Pioneering Sustainable Power
One of the most defining chapters in Marcus Whately’s career is his co-founding of Estover Energy Ltd in 2009. Alongside his partners, Whately envisioned a company that would help factories and manufacturers reduce carbon emissions while cutting operational costs.
During his 15 years with Estover, Marcus Whately co-led the company as Co-CEO and Non-Executive Director, raising more than £375 million from institutional investors. Estover successfully developed and operated three large-scale Combined Heat and Power (CHP) bioenergy plants across the UK — generating 75 megawatts of renewable energy. These plants supply low-carbon energy to major food and pharmaceutical factories, preventing more than 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.
Under his leadership, Estover Energy:
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Created 285 jobs across the UK.
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Achieved an annual turnover of £115 million with £44 million EBITDA.
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Delivered landmark projects like:
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The Cramlington Biomass CHP Plant (£143m) in Northumberland.
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The Speyside Biomass CHP Plant (£74m) for The Macallan Distillery in Scotland.
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The Kent Renewable Energy Plant (£160m) in Sandwich, Kent.
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These developments helped decarbonise major industrial facilities, showcasing Marcus Whately’s belief that sustainability and profitability can coexist. Estover’s assets were progressively sold to major investors between 2021 and 2024, marking another successful cycle in his entrepreneurial journey.
Marcus Whately and GrowUp Farms – Revolutionising Food Sustainability
In 2018, Marcus Whately acquired GrowUp Urban Farms, a pioneering vertical farming venture, and transformed it into GrowUp Farms. As Founder and CEO, he raised £100 million to build the UK’s most advanced vertical farm, known as the Pepperness Farm in Kent.
GrowUp Farms produces pesticide-free salads under the Unbeleafable brand, now stocked in leading UK supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, Iceland, Co-Op, and SPAR. The brand quickly achieved category-leading sales, offering high-quality, sustainable produce at everyday prices — a result made possible by GrowUp’s innovative energy technology.
Under Marcus Whately’s leadership, GrowUp Farms grew to employ more than 120 staff, won Sunday Times Best Places to Work Awards (2023 & 2024), and became one of the UK’s most recognised B Corporation-certified agri-tech companies.
After six years as CEO, Whately handed over the leadership role in November 2024, continuing as a shareholder and advisor to support future growth. His success at GrowUp Farms demonstrates how advanced engineering and sustainable design can reshape the food industry.
Leadership Style and Vision
Marcus Whately is known for his ability to combine entrepreneurial courage with disciplined execution. His leadership philosophy revolves around three principles:
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Purpose-driven innovation – developing businesses that solve global problems.
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Team empowerment – building high-performing, motivated teams.
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Sustainable profitability – ensuring every project delivers both environmental and economic returns.
From leading software engineers to bioenergy technicians and agronomists, Whately has repeatedly demonstrated that cross-disciplinary collaboration drives long-term success.
Marcus Whately’s Net Worth
While Marcus Whately’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed, estimates place it in the range of £8–15 million (USD 10–20 million), based on his long-term leadership in high-value ventures like Estover Energy and GrowUp Farms. These estimates are speculative and derived from his track record of capital raises and asset sales rather than official disclosures.
Given his ownership roles and successful exits, it is fair to consider him among the leading UK entrepreneurs who have built significant personal and corporate value through sustainable innovation.
Marcus Whately and Helen Whately – A Partnership in Leadership
Marcus Whately’s spouse is Helen Whately, a prominent British Conservative Party politician and Member of Parliament for Faversham and Mid Kent. The couple met while studying at the University of Oxford and married in 2005. They have three children and are regarded as one of Britain’s accomplished professional couples — balancing political service and entrepreneurial leadership.
Helen Whately has served as Minister of State for Social Care, playing a key role in shaping healthcare policy. Despite their busy professional lives, both Marcus and Helen Whately are known for their shared commitment to public service and sustainability.
Awards and Recognition
Marcus Whately’s achievements have been widely acknowledged in the UK business community. Under his leadership, GrowUp Farms was honoured as one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work in 2023 and 2024. His projects have attracted investment from institutions such as:
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John Laing Group plc
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UK Green Investment Bank
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Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
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Greencoat Capital
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Barclays and EKF (Danish Export Credit Agency)
These partnerships highlight his credibility among leading investors in renewable infrastructure and agri-tech.
Marcus Whately’s Legacy and Future Vision
Marcus Whately’s legacy lies in bridging three worlds — technology, sustainability, and investment. From building software systems for global corporations to powering factories with bioenergy and reinventing how food is grown, his work consistently aligns with one mission: creating scalable, low-carbon solutions for a better future.
His leadership at Estover Energy and GrowUp Farms has helped decarbonise industries, promote clean food production, and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs in sustainable infrastructure.
Looking forward, Marcus Whately is expected to continue investing in and advising ventures that combine renewable energy, food technology, and digital transformation — areas where his experience remains invaluable.
Conclusion
Marcus Whately exemplifies the modern British entrepreneur: innovative, ethical, and deeply committed to sustainability. From Oxford University to boardrooms shaping the UK’s green economy, he has proven that business success and environmental responsibility can work hand in hand.
With a net worth built on purpose-driven enterprises and a legacy of tangible impact, Marcus Whately’s journey — alongside his spouse, Helen Whately — stands as a powerful example of leadership that looks beyond profit to create lasting change.
FAQs
1. Who is Marcus Whately?
Marcus Whately is a British entrepreneur, investor, and business leader best known for founding Estover Energy Ltd and GrowUp Farms. He has over 25 years of experience building successful companies in the energy, food, and technology sectors.
2. What is Marcus Whately’s connection to Estover Energy?
He co-founded Estover Energy Ltd in 2009 and served as Co-CEO for 15 years. The company developed large-scale bioenergy plants across the UK, helping factories reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.
3. What is Marcus Whately’s net worth?
While his exact net worth is not publicly confirmed, estimates suggest it ranges between £8–15 million, based on his business ventures and company valuations.
4. Who is Marcus Whately’s spouse?
Marcus Whately is married to Helen Whately, a British Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Social Care. The couple married in 2005 and have three children.
5. What companies has Marcus Whately founded?
Marcus Whately has founded or co-founded several ventures, including Artisan Software and Technology Group, Estover Energy Ltd, and GrowUp Farms, all of which focus on innovation, sustainability, and growth.
