Meet Us

Sheryl Cuisia

FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE CHAIR, LEAD INVESTOR

Entrepreneur, angel investor, non-executive director, background in corporate advisory, MBA, Inaugural Entrepreneur-in-Residence at King’s College, Cambridge University.

Sheryl is a serial entrepreneur with an active interest in social and environmental impact, angel and houseplant investing, and the utility of NFT in the collectibles space. She is best known as the Founder of Boudicca Proxy, the leading shareholder engagement consultancy that, in 2018, was acquired by the FTSE 250 company Equiniti Group.

During her 20 years of experience in corporate governance advisory, she has overseen 1,000 campaigns across multiple industries and markets. With progressive proxy solicitation and shareholder communications for complex mergers and acquisitions and activism being Sheryl’s key focus areas, she can apply specialist insights into her current pursuits, including shareholder fairness campaigning via The Engagement Act and founding the Aplanty Impact group of social ventures, which has the ethos of ‘plants helping people and the planet prosper’.

Sheryl is the inaugural Entrepreneur-in-Residence of King’s College, Cambridge University, the Co-Founder of the Women’s Company Secretary Circle, judge of The Sunday Times Non-Executive Director Awards, and director of CTFN UK. She holds an MBA from Bayes Business School.

Sheryl’s all-time favourite houseplant

Sheryl’s favourite houseplant in her collection is the Philodendron Ilsemanii, because, in Sheryl’s own words, “she is such a stunning unpredictable diva, but if you figure her out, she will reward you with infinite joy.  If not, you’re screwed! Lol.”

Her favourite colour is red

It is said that people who love the colour red are bold, boisterous, and full of energy. Their spontaneous nature and need for adventure make them passionate and ambitious individuals with a slight competitive streak. They love taking centre stage and are right to do so. And they certainly know how to live life to the fullest. We at Aplanty can certainly attest to all these qualities in Sheryl. She’s undoubtedly fun to be around!

Sheryl’s spirit (work) animal: Shark

• Powerful presence
• Steward of our organisation’s identity
• Excellent at assessing the risks of transformation
• Even better at making out opportunities
• Independent judgement
• Hard-driving work ethos
• Solution and results-oriented

Three fun facts about Sheryl

• Allegedly, Sheryl is a reformed workaholic. Tending to her houseplant collection and balcony garden with beautiful views of Limehouse Basin in London balances her.
• Some say her collection of rare and tropical houseplants comprises over 1,000 plants. But she’s not entirely convinced. (Count again, Sheryl!)
• Ironically, Sheryl is allergic to some houseplants; you will always find her wearing stylish gloves when she’s repotting or propagating her variegated beauties.

Gillian Melham

CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF OF STAFF, MANAGING DIRECTOR

Extensive operational & corporate experience for multinationals and SMEs, non-executive director, Executive Leadership, and property management.

As a competent leader, effective manager, and proven Chief Technical Officer/Chief Operations Officer, Gil brings tremendous energy and new vision to our organisation. She is a highly skilled operator and has the track record to show for it: Stations in her career thus far included Shell Information Technology International, T-Systems, TRT, and most recently at GetMapping, where she spent nearly four years as Group Operations Director and European Managing Director until 2021, and has been supporting the business as a Non-Executive Director since.

And now, the Aplanty Impact team gets to benefit from her experience: As our Chief of Staff, Gil is a communicator, a problem solver, an innovator, a process driver, a day-to-day decision maker, and the chief architect of the decision-making process at Aplanty Impact. Her focused, systematic, daily actions build the figurative bridge between a theoretical idea and a present reality. All this while maintaining profitability, protecting the company brand, and delivering high-quality customer service.

It is safe to say that Gil is a hard worker, both at the desk and on the plant shelf. Luckily, the family dogs Alan and Nico make sure that she takes sufficient breaks and that she gets loads of fresh air out in the Cambridgeshire countryside or on the beach.

Gil’s favourite houseplant

Gil’s favourite houseplant is the Philodendron Joepii. Despite it featuring a simple leaf and growth pattern, it is the most exquisite, elegant, and beautiful plant on the planet. And it helps that a Dutchman discovered it.

Her favourite colour is yellow

Vibrant yellow reminds Gil of happiness and sunshine, daffodils in spring, and summer. Yellow, as a favourite colour, is said to represent happiness and a love of learning, as well as expressing one’s individuality by creating innovative ideas. As probably most people who love the colour yellow, Gil loves to share her collected knowledge with others. And just like the colour itself, Gil has a very welcoming air around her, making people feel warm and happy. So, it is only natural that she’s at the helm of Aplanty House!

Gil’s spirit (work) animal: Dolphin

• Enthusiastic about all things new
• Loves taking on new projects and rotating tasks
• Possesses an evolutionary drive to ride change
• Takes charge by showing initiative and being proactive
• Open-minded
• Personal responsibility

Three fun facts about Gil

• Gil has a knack for all sorts of DYI projects. She has a tool in her hand when she’s not at her desk or loving on plants. It’s just a bit unfortunate that she’s a bit clumsy with power tools.
• Until she met Sheryl, Gil’s plant collection comprised a total of ONE Yucca palm she picked up at IKEA. Now she manages the entire Aplanty collection of 1,000 plants and growing!
• Although Gil loves outdoor gardening as much as taking care of the plants indoors, there’s something that is a real bummer: She suffers from Scoleciphobia, a fear of worms. Talk about a conundrum.