Introducing the SHERPA Team

Solène Dehosse (Customer Success Lead):

BCom (Hons) Financial Management; MCom Business Management

Solène joined the Blue North Team in 2020 as an intern. Her work at Blue North has been centred around supporting businesses in the agriculture and food industries to develop and implement sustainability strategies. She has worked on several projects in her time at Blue North, including projects for large-scale farming groups (e.g., Rift Valley Holdings), multi-stakeholder organisations (the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials), food retailer groups (e.g., Woolworths) and government (the Western Cape Department of Agriculture).

Solène is now the Customer Success Lead for SHERPA. Her role is focused on collaborating with the SHERPA Team to ensure customers can unlock the most value from SHERPA, and progress on their sustainability journeys.

Outside of work, Solène is a keen member of Blue North’s action netball team. She loves spending time in the mountains, swimming in the sea and baking.

 

Gerald Payne (IT Manager):

Dip Computer Science

Gerald joined the Blue North Team in 2019, looking after all IT development at Blue North since day one. He has helped propel Blue North’s online tools to the next level. With more than 20 years of IT experience, he understands the IT environment and the needs of companies at all levels.

Gerald also has a special interest in IT security, so all Blue North clients can rest assured that their data is safe with us.

Outside of work, Gerald enjoys cooling off in the ocean waters of the Deep South. He also enjoys winter tennis and hiking.

 

Jonè Carter (Customer and Product Success Consultant):

BSc Zoology

Jonè Carter joined Blue North in 2022 as a member of the SHERPA Team, taking on the role of Support Specialist. With a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the fruit marketing and farming sectors, Jonè offers guidance and support to users while managing key client accounts.

In addition to her support role, Jonè leads SHERPA’s marketing strategy, curating content for social media platforms and writing newsletters. Her role reflects her commitment to both customer success and the broader reach of SHERPA within the industry.

Beyond work, you’ll find Jonè in the boxing ring, enjoying the thrill of the sport. She also has a green thumb, collecting and growing plants, and is an active member of Blue North’s action netball team.

 

Sally Fraser (Customer and Product Success Consultant):

BCom (Hons) Information Systems Management; Candidate MPhil Environment, Society and Sustainability.

Sally Joined the SHERPA Team in 2022 as a SHERPA Support Specialist. Her role focuses on supporting clients to utilize SHERPA to build their sustainability strategy and taking the best steps to understand and implement sustainability actions in their business.

Sally also plays a role as an account manager for SHERPA clients and assists in coordinating the research and content development for SHERPA.

Sally plays action netball and also enjoys running on the roads and trails of Cape Town with friends or you can find her reading her new favourite book.

 

Alexis Oosthuizen (Customer and Product Success Consultant):

BSc (Agric) Animal Science; MSc (Agric) Pasture Science  

Alexis joined Blue North and the SHERPA Team in 2023 as a Customer Success Consultant. Her focus is on providing efficient service to SHERPA clients, including training, support and engagement, to ensure that they have a positive experience with SHERPA and achieve their sustainability goals. Alexis recently completed an MSc in Pasture Science at the University of Pretoria, where she developed a strong interest in sustainability, particularly pasture-based livestock production systems.

Beyond work, she’s an animal lover, an avid reader, a novice runner, and a nature enthusiast who appreciates spending time outdoors.

 

Christopher Freemantle (Customer and Product Success Intern):

BSc Property Studies; Masters in Sustainable Business & Innovation

Christopher joined Blue North in 2023 as an intern to assist with Product and Customer Success. His focus is on ensuring that SHERPA-orientated communications are clear and concise. Christopher recently completed his Masters in Sustainable Business and Innovation at EADA Business School in Spain. His interests are routed in his upbringing on a farm as he aspires to create positive change in food systems. Christopher enjoys learning from, interacting with and presenting to clients.

Christopher loves to be in nature. His weekends consist of surfing, hiking and trail running. The combination of his upbringing in Elgin and his tendency to do road trips has cultivated within him an in-depth understanding of the top pies of the Western Cape.