Our specialist team bring a unique blend of knowledge and experience to the legal, medicinal cannabis industry. Our strengths in investment and development, finance, law, research and growing give us a distinct advantage over competitors in Europe and across the globe.

DR. MIGUEL FAGUNDES
CEO & CTO

Miguel is a Pharmacist by training, Specialist in Pharmaceutical Industry by the Portuguese Pharmaceutical Society, able to act as a Qualified Person. He completed a Leading Pharma program for Pharmaceutical Industry at Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics and has a comprehensive expertise in drug development, quality assurance and manufacturing process validation gained throughout his diversified experience; his expertise lies in successfully managing teams, processes and programmes contributing to continuous improvement and overall performance excellence and also ensure compliance with local and international regulations (i.e. EMA and FDA).

CARL ESPREY
CHAIRMAN

Carl Esprey founded Botanical Holdings in early 2020 with a focus on investing within the legal cannabis sector, acting as CEO until the start of 2023.

Since launch, Botanical Holdings has acquired assets including EuroCan in Portugal, which aims to become a world leader in the production of legally approved cannabis products for medicinal use. Carl Esprey is also Executive Director of Contango Holdings, which has a 70% interest in the Lubu Coal Project based in Zimbabwe.

A qualified Chartered Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst, Carl Esprey has worked within the natural resource investment and development sector for many years.

JOSÉ TEIXEIRA
CFO

José has a degree in Business Management and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Administration. He has over 20 years of experience as a Financial Director in the Pharmaceutical Industry and in companies trading in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. He has also worked for multinational companies connected to the area of large retail. He is a certified accountant and trainer accredited by IEFP (Institute of Employment and Professional Training). He has worked on several audits and due diligence processes. Strong knowledge of Tax Planning, Tax Legislation, and Budget Management.

MICHAEL ALEN-BUCKLEY
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michael co-founded RAB Capital plc in 1999 and is Executive Chairman. He was a Director and Head of International Equity Sales at ABN-AMRO Hoare Govett from
1996 to 1998 and prior to that Director of Institutional Sales at Merrill Lynch (previously Smith New Court) from 1991 to 1996. Between 1987 and 1991 he was a Senior Executive for UK equity sales at James Capel &Co. He was a founding member of the Hedge Fund Working Group which evolved into the HedgeFund Standards Board. Michael is Chairman of the Lismore Opera Board and Founding Partner of the ARK Brunel Academy.

URIEL ROODYN
DIRECTOR

Uriel (BSc Hons, ACA) is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales with more than 10 years experience in financial services. Uriel graduated from University College London with Joint Honours in Economics and Geography and began his professional career at PWC London. Uriel left PWC in 2018 to run the Asset Management division for a substantial private Family office.

CHRIS O’ CONNOR
DIRECTOR

Chris is an English qualified Lawyer with 15 years of post-qualification legal experience focused on capital markets, corporate finance and M&A transactions in emerging markets throughout Africa, Eastern Europe and the CIS. Chris trained and practiced at Salans (now Dentons) and moved to in-house legal practice in 2013. Throughout his career Chris has gained wide ranging transactional and operational exposure across a variety of business sectors including exploration, logistics, gaming and agriculture. Chris graduated from University College London in 2003 having obtained a “Diplome d’études de droit français” from the Université d’Aix-Marseille (Aix-en-Provence) in 2002.

ARON O MAOLRUAIGH
CULTIVATOR

Aron has been at the forefront of the growth of the legal cannabis industry over the past 25 years, during which time he set up one of the largest hydroponic facilities in Europe. Aron’s experience and expertise have enabled him to acquire extensive knowledge regarding the techniques and science behind genetic development, growing methods in bioponic, hydroponic, and aeroponic environmental conditions, nutrient intake, equipment, extraction, and the global development of the legal cannabis market.