About Us
Our Leadership
Who We Are
Unified by our vision. Led by our experience.
As experts in steam autoclaving and biochemical development, our leadership team has long recognised the untapped potential of organic waste.
Tom Wilson
Tom Wilson, the designer and chief engineer behind the Wilson System®, is a globally recognized expert in steam technology with over 50 years of experience in the industry. Widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on steam storage, Tom’s expertise has been built through decades of hands-on experience, rigorous engineering practice, and collaboration with some of the leading steam engineers in the world.
Tom’s career began with a comprehensive apprenticeship, where he worked alongside top industry experts, gaining an in-depth understanding of steam systems and their applications. Over the years, he has designed and implemented bespoke steam-based solutions across a wide range of industries, including power generation, steel manufacturing, textiles, food production, biotechnology, and polystyrene processing. His work has contributed significantly to advancements in steam engineering, and he has authored technical content published by industry leader Spirax Sarco. His contributions to innovation and engineering excellence were further recognized when he was awarded the prestigious UK Government Smart Award.
Tom has focused his expertise on addressing environmental challenges within the waste management sector. Through his engineering expertise, he has demonstrated that steam autoclave technology is a viable and sustainable solution for processing municipal solid waste. His groundbreaking work in this field has positioned the Wilson System® as an innovative and effective technology for reducing waste and advancing circular economy principles.
Tom’s lifelong dedication to steam engineering and sustainable waste treatment continues to drive new advancements, making a significant impact on industries worldwide.
Pete Metcalf
Pete Metcalf, our Research and Development Director, brings over 40 years of experience in chemical engineering, with a career spanning multiple industries and global markets. He began his career in the textiles industry as a process chemist, where he developed a deep understanding of industrial chemistry and process optimization. His expertise led him into international sales, working extensively across the Middle East and Latin America, where he built strong industry relationships and gained valuable insights into global market dynamics.
Since the early 2000s, Pete has focused his efforts on research and development within the waste sector, applying his chemical engineering expertise to innovative and sustainable solutions. At Wilson Bio-Chemical, he plays a crucial role in advancing biofuel technologies and platform chemical development derived from Wilson Fibre®. His work is instrumental in transforming waste into valuable resources, contributing to a more circular and sustainable economy.
Pete’s extensive experience and commitment to innovation continue to drive groundbreaking advancements in waste-to-resource technologies, reinforcing Wilson Bio-Chemical’s position at the forefront of sustainable development.
Brendan Hughes
Brendan is an Irish-American entrepreneur with a strong background in the construction industry. Over the past 30 years, he successfully built and managed a thriving contracting business in New York, specializing in both domestic and commercial property development. His keen business acumen and ability to identify emerging opportunities allowed him to establish a solid reputation in the industry.
In 2005, seeking a new challenge and investment opportunity, Brendan turned his attention to the Waste and Renewable Energy sector. His interest in sustainable solutions led him to the Wilson System®, an innovative waste processing technology. Recognizing its potential, he became a major shareholder and premier investor, playing a pivotal role in bringing the technology to market.
As the sole representative of the Wilson System® in North America, Brendan founded Hughes Energy Group, a company dedicated to promoting and implementing this cutting-edge waste management solution. Under his leadership, Hughes Energy has positioned itself as the main selling agent for the Wilson System® in the region, helping drive the adoption of sustainable waste-to-energy technology across North America.
Brendan's entrepreneurial spirit, industry expertise, and commitment to sustainability continue to shape the future of waste management and renewable energy solutions.
Our Team
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Mark Ennis CBE
Mark Ennis has served over 35 years in leadership positions of UK, Irish and International Companies. He currently serves on several Boards including SSE Airtricity (Non-Exec Chair), W&G Baird (Non-Exec Chair), and Wilson Bio-Chemicals (Director). Mark was honored with a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2016 for services to the economy and community in Northern Ireland. He has previously led both Public and Private businesses. In the Private Sector he has worked in a variety of industries sectors including: Packaging, as CEO of Boxmore International Plc, and Senior VP of Chesapeake Corp; Energy, with Airtricity as Director of Corporate and Retail ; Automotive, as Materials and Logistics Director of Fisher Body Corp ; Financial, with Liberty Insurance as a Non-Executive Chairing the Risk and Compliance Committee; and Medical Devices with Intelesens as a Non-Executive Director. In the Public Sector he served on the Boards of Invest Northern Ireland, the NI Industrial Research and Technology Unit, and Down Lisburn Health Trust. In 2018 he stepped down as the longest serving Chairman of Invest NI after 8 years at the helm. He has served on a number of NI Government task forces including the Economic Council reporting to the Minister of the Economy and “Transform Your Care” which developed a Healthcare Strategy for NI, reporting to the Minister of Health. Mark was Chairman of the Management and Leadership network 2002-2007 and Chairman of CBI Northern Ireland in 1999 2000. Mark has an honors Degree in Economics from Queens University Belfast, and an MBA from the Open University. He was honored with Graduate of the Year by QUB in 2001. In 2019 he was awarded Northern Ireland Non-Executive of the Year.
Sheila Hughes
Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Sheila Hughes has been involved in autoclaving technology since 2009, when the first commercial-scale facility was established in Ireland. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Fairfield University, a master’s degree in Environmental Management from Queen’s University Belfast, and a certificate in Marketing Strategy from Cornell University.
Sheila’s career spans multiple industries, including metal finishing services—where she worked as a Quality and Environmental Manager overseeing galvanizing and powder coating—and laboratory analysis, where she served as a Lab Quality Officer conducting compliance testing for soils, discharge waters, and waste classification. Throughout these roles, she gained extensive experience in internal auditing and working within UKAS, ISO, and OHSAS standards.
In her current role, Sheila plays a key role in developing, maintaining, and executing the company’s strategic communication plan. She collaborates closely with the team on sales and business development, manages current projects, and serves as the grant project manager for both Hughes Energy and Wilson Bio-Chemical’s R&D teams. Additionally, she acts as the company liaison between HEG and WBC, ensuring seamless coordination between the two organizations.
Rebecca Addy
Rebecca Addy joined Wilson Bio-Chemical in 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience in project management, relationship building, sales, and team coordination. Having worked across diverse industries—including financial services at HSBC, corporate social responsibility with Business in the Community, and the fast-paced IT sector—Rebecca has developed a strong skill set that allows her to efficiently manage projects and drive business growth.
In her current role, Rebecca works closely with Tom and Pete on account management, project development, and the daily operations of the WBC Chesterfield office and demonstration plant. Her ability to streamline processes and foster collaboration ensures that both internal teams and external partners receive the highest level of support.