Dr Michelle Marin Chau

About

Michelle Marín Chau is Communications Director and one of the founders of Nutri-San Ltd, a B2B seaweed bio-technology company that was established in 2017 and has operations in Vietnam, Zanzibar and the UK. 
Michelle started her career in academia, lecturing in Politics (University of York) and Development Studies (University of East Anglia), before moving into professional services. For over fifteen years she worked for global Executive Search firms in the UK and internationally, first for Odgers Berndtson, in their Public Sector, Non-Profit and Education Practices, before moving to Heidrick & Struggles as a consultant in the London Board Practice.  During this time, she specialised in CEO, Chairman and Non-Executive Director appointments for FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 clients across all sectors as well as private companies and was responsible for conducting board evaluations and reviews as well as preparing boards for IPO.  She was also tasked with managing the company’s first carbon footprint evaluation – conducting a review of 64 offices globally.
In 2008, Michelle moved to Asia to open and run Heidrick’s first office in Vietnam, and to develop their retained search business across South-East Asia. During this time Michelle also worked within the regional leadership consulting practice and authored thought leadership pieces on the challenge of talent acquisition and retention in Asia.
Having worked for large corporates for most of her career, in 2016 Michelle and her husband decided to set up Nutri-San and pursue their vision to build a sustainable seaweed technology business which, as well as producing products with environmental and health benefits for the animal feed and livestock industries, would also generate employment opportunities – particularly in marginalised coastal areas.   
Michelle has lived and worked in the UK, Cuba, Singapore and Vietnam.  She has served on the Governing Body of a Kent primary school and is a Growing Kent & Medway business mentor.