South African drone imagery and AI specialist Aerobotics has appointed disruption and innovation expert Stuart van der Veen as Chief Platform Officer.

Van der Veen will be based in the US, managing global partnerships in agriculture and affiliated industries. He joins Aerobotics from Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), where he was Head of Disruption and Innovation.

The appointment comes as part of Aerobotics’ plans for major expansion around the globe. Aerobotics, which is currently operating in 11 countries, said it is allocating significant resources focusing on the agriculture market in the United States, particularly California and Florida.

“This is the year of aerial imagery analytics, and we’d like to work with the world’s most forward and sustainable thinking organizations,” said van der Veen. “Agriculture is fast becoming a data driven industry. Engaging with precision farming and our technology means less damage to the environment, enhancing how resources like water are being used and contributing to food security around the world.”

According to Aerobotics, his career highlights included winning the Financial Times of London ‘The Banker Tech Projects Award for Fintech Partnerships,’ and bringing Silicon Valley’s Plug and Play Tech Centre to Africa for the first time .

At Nedbank, van der Veen created new market opportunities in strategic industries, including a financial services partnership with Aerobotics in agriculture. Together, they worked to better serve clients by garnering unique data-driven insights through tree crop aerial imagery analytics.

“I am proud and excited to join Aerobotics and help build on the incredible growth they have already been able to achieve,” said van der Veen. “Aerobotics’ technology and services are already providing farmers and the agriculture industry transformative information and insights, and I am excited to contribute to one of the best South African and global stories of our generation.”