Katharos is a UK-based waste and recycling infrastructure developer focused on delivering commercially viable projects that support the transition to a circular economy.
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We specialise in the development of new Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) capacity, helping to address the growing need for modern, efficient recycling infrastructure across the UK.​ Katharos develops projects that improve operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and deliver long-term commercial value.
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Our team brings expertise from the renewables, waste, recycling and infrastructure sectors, enabling us to deliver innovative circular economy facilities, including:
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Advanced Material Recovery Facilities
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Pyrolysis and waste-to-oil technologies
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Energy and decarbonised industrial processes
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Our core markets include Commercial & Industrial, Local Authority / Municipal, and Energy from Waste streams.
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Katharos is helping to scale UK recycling infrastructure in line with long-term circular economy and recycling objectives, supporting a more resilient and sustainable waste management system.
Our Team
Francis Mann - Chief Executive Officer
Francis brings over 15 years of experience delivering energy and infrastructure projects across renewable and conventional sectors, including senior roles with BP and Lightsource bp.
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He has led the development and delivery of major renewable assets, including the 122MWp Brechin Castle solar project in Trinidad and Tobago, the country’s first utility-scale renewable project, as well as over 150MWp of projects across the UK.
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Francis has held senior leadership positions across multinational organisations and high-growth start-ups, with a track record of building teams and delivering commercially successful infrastructure projects.
Hamish Courtauld - Finance Director
Hamish brings experience across investment banking, infrastructure development and accounting, with a focus on renewable energy and capital markets.
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He began his career in UK Government audit and value-for-money roles, before spending over three years in investment banking, specialising in renewable energy infrastructure at a pan-European M&A advisory firm.
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Most recently, Hamish has worked in-house for a renewable energy and industrial developer, focusing on strategy and capital raising across multiple projects.
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He is a qualified chartered accountant, with experience across the full project lifecycle and in both equity and debt.
Daniel Larkin - Chief Operating Officer
Dan brings extensive experience in capital raising, project finance and business management, with a focus on structuring and delivering complex infrastructure and development projects.
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His career includes the delivery of international data centre projects for Dell and Google, followed by four years as European Director at Westchester Export Capital, where he developed deep expertise in international trade and financing.
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During this period, Dan structured and raised multiple credit facilities, including lines of up to USD 20 million, supporting a range of cross-border transactions and growth initiatives.
Patrick Venn - Technical Lead
Patrick provides independent engineering and technical advisory support within the waste sector, drawing on extensive experience in process engineering and technology innovation.
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He was lead process engineer for Veolia’s £70 million plastic recycling facility, where he helped pioneer the use of robotics and AI-based sorting technologies.
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Patrick brings deep expertise in regulatory frameworks and waste-to-value strategies, supporting the development and delivery of advanced recycling infrastructure.
The Model
Our Operating Model
Katharos develops, delivers and manages waste and recycling infrastructure through a capital-efficient development model, originating and de-risking projects to ready-to-build stage in partnership with strategic investors and technology providers.
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Our work spans the full project lifecycle, including site origination, engineering, planning and environmental permitting, commercial structuring, construction delivery, and long-term asset management.
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The model supports the expansion of UK recycling capacity in line with long-term circular economy objectives, including the ambition to recycle 65% of municipal waste by 2035.
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Value is generated through recurring revenue from asset management and operational services.
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Key components:
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1. Develop & Construct​
Originate and develop projects from early-stage sites through to ready-to-build, including site selection, technical design, and delivery planning. For waste infrastructure in England, this typically includes securing planning permission and the relevant Environmental Permits from the Environment Agency (or equivalent regulators in devolved administrations).
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2. Asset Management​
Katharos provides long-term technical, commercial and financial oversight for its own and partnered assets, focused on operational performance, compliance and value protection.
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3. Partnerships​
We collaborate with investors, corporates, local authorities and other developers to support delivery and scaling of recycling and sustainable infrastructure portfolios.
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4. Strategic Alignment
Katharos aligns projects with policy and market drivers shaping UK waste and recycling, including reforms such as “Simpler Recycling”, which the UK Government says will help support more than £10 billion of investment in the UK’s recycling capability over the next decade
Our Board
Kareen Boutonnat - Chair
Kareen brings extensive leadership experience across technology and renewable energy to the Katharos board.
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She began her career in Silicon Valley, working with high-growth venture-backed technology companies, before transitioning into the solar sector.
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Kareen spent over 12 years at Lightsource bp, where she served as CEO for the EMEA and APAC regions, leading large-scale renewable energy operations across multiple international markets.
She also sits on the boards of Powerverse and Theta Solar.
Sir Edward Greenwell - Non-Executive Director
Sir Edward is an entrepreneur and co-owner of Greenwell Farms, alongside a portfolio of development and land-based businesses.
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His previous leadership roles include Trustee of the National Trust, President of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), High Sheriff of Suffolk, and Chairman of the District Council.
Sir Edward brings extensive experience in land management, development and community engagement to the Katharos board.
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Francis Mann - Chief Executive Officer
Francis brings over 15 years of experience delivering energy and infrastructure projects across renewable and conventional sectors, including senior roles with BP and Lightsource bp.
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He has led the development and delivery of major renewable assets, including the 122MWp Brechin Castle solar project in Trinidad and Tobago, the country’s first utility-scale renewable project, as well as over 150MWp of projects across the UK.
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Francis has held senior leadership positions across multinational organisations and high-growth start-ups, with a track record of building teams and delivering commercially successful infrastructure projects.
Hugh Grootenhuis - Non-Executive Director
Hugh is an established investment and finance professional, having previously served as CEO of Waverton Investment Management (formerly JO Hambro).
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He is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director at Raymond James Wealth Management (UK), where he also serves as Chair of Audit and Risk.
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Hugh is also Chairman of FundRock Management (Ireland) Ltd, an advisor to S W Mitchell Capital LLP, and a Trustee of the Perivoli Foundation, a private charity active in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Alexandra Desouza - Non-Executive Director
Alex is General Counsel EMEA & Head of Transactions at Lightsource bp. With 20 years’ experience within the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors across Europe, Africa and Asia, she has advised start-ups and scale ups and has led legal teams for major solar and renewables companies including Lightsource bp, SunPower and SunEdison.
Alex started her career at Linklaters advising on international project finance transactions in the energy and infrastructure space.
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Alex sits on the Board of Solar Energy UK and is a member of the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Solar Council.
Daniel Larkin - Chief Operating Officer
Dan brings extensive experience in capital raising, project finance and business management, with a focus on structuring and delivering complex infrastructure and development projects.
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His career includes the delivery of international data centre projects for Dell and Google, followed by four years as European Director at Westchester Export Capital, where he developed deep expertise in international trade and financing.
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During this period, Dan structured and raised multiple credit facilities, including lines of up to USD 20 million, supporting a range of cross-border transactions and growth initiatives.
Partner with Katharos
Katharos partners with landowners and public bodies to develop waste and recycling infrastructure that supports the UK’s circular economy and delivers long-term value for communities and stakeholders.
Private Landowners
We partner with landowners who have suitable sites for waste and recycling infrastructure, offering long-term income opportunities through lease or joint venture structures.
Local Authorities
We work with councils and public sector organisations to support decarbonisation strategies, expand local recycling capacity, develop resilient waste infrastructure and unlock underutilised land assets.
Project Management
Let us oversee every aspect of your project with precision and care. Our team ensures deadlines are met and quality is never compromised.
How Partnership Works
Our model is designed to be simple and transparent:
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Initial consultation
Confidential conversation about your land or recycling requirements
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Development agreement
Agreed partnership structure between all parties.
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Construction & Operation
Delivered with long-term partners
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Site / Waste Management Assessment
Technical and commercial feasibility review.
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Planning & Permitting
Led by Katharos
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Ongoing Revenue & Management
Stable income and asset stewardship
What Partners Gain
For landowners
1. Long-term, index-linked income
2. Retain ownership of land (where appropriate)
3. Low upfront cost
4. Professional project management
5. Contribution to sustainable infrastructure
For councils
1. Increased local recycling capacity
2. Reduced reliance on landfill and export
3. Progress toward climate and waste targets
4. Private sector capital without public funding burden
5. Long-term operational partner
Become a Katharos Partner
If you own land or work within a public organisation and are interested in partnering on waste and recycling infrastructure, we’d be pleased to hear from you. Complete the form and our team will contact you to discuss opportunities.
Memberships
Environment Services Association
