In this episode, HighGround co‑hosts Tom Constable and Jamie Crisp explore entrepreneurial life in the land‑based sector through the story of Rob Palmer, a former RAF weapons‑systems engineer and Royal Engineer officer who now leads a biochar start‑up.

Rob candidly recounts his meandering journey: after dropping out of university and joining the RAF, he saw his Nimrod fleet cancelled on the day of his final exam. He transferred to the Army via Sandhurst, serving in bomb disposal, airborne engineering and training roles before deciding to leave the forces.

Rob initially pursued “safe” corporate roles but, through networking and never turning down a coffee, he met former colleagues who introduced him to carbon‑removal technologies. He joined the Future Forest Company (now Undo) as Director of Innovation, helping operationalise projects in afforestation, enhanced rock weathering and biochar.

Inspired by the potential of biochar, a porous form of charcoal made via pyrolysis that locks carbon into soil and enhances water and nutrient retentionpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govbiochar-us.org Rob launched Tera Carbon.

His company partners with a Kenyan group to convert sugar‑cane waste into biochar, improving degraded soils and sequestering carbon. Rob shares the realities of start‑up life: fundraising, hiring, financial risk and wearing multiple hats. Throughout, he emphasises the transferable skills that veterans bring-work ethic, adaptability, leadership and a willingness to learn and urges service‑leavers to build networks, test their assumptions and be open to unexpected opportunities.

Episode chapters & key moments:

00:00 Introduction: Tom & Jamie explain that this episode focuses on entrepreneurialism in the land‑based sector.

02:42 Meet Rob Palmer: A “university dropout” turned RAF weapons‑systems engineer who then served as a bomb‑search commander and parachute engineer officer in the Army.

04:52 Career crossroads: Nimrod cancellation leaves Rob in limbo; a CO encourages him to find purpose, leading him to commission into the Royal Engineers.

07:02 Transition decisions: Facing parenthood and a desire for stability, Rob explores corporate graduate schemes but remains unsure of his direction.

08:55 The power of networking: Rob describes his “never say no to coffee” rule, which ultimately leads to a pivotal introduction to the Future Forest Company via his CO.

10:41 Carbon‑removal technologies: Rob discusses early work at the Future Forest Company/Undo, operationalising science projects in afforestation, enhanced rock weathering and biochar.

12:35 Biochar & pyrolysis explained: Biochar is produced by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen (pyrolysis), producing a stable, porous form of charcoalpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. When added to soil it improves pH, structure and water‑holding capacitypmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Its physical and chemical nature allows it to attract and hold moisture and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorusbiochar-us.org, providing a habitat for microbes and reducing greenhouse gas emissionsbiochar-us.org.

14:17 Why Africa? Rob explains that Kenyan sugar‑cane farms suffer from severe soil acidity and nutrient leaching. Converting waste cane into biochar not only sequesters carbon but also buffers soil pH and increases yields, boosting local livelihoods.

16:26 Starting Tera Carbon: Rob describes founding Tera Carbon under the Tamu Group in Kenya, negotiating seed funding and accepting a lower salary in return for equity and impact.

18:18 Day‑to‑day as a founder: From writing pitch decks and financial models to visiting Kenyan farms and dealing with everything from fundraising to operations, Rob wears all the hats of CEO, CFO and COO.

20:40 Skills veterans bring: Rob highlights that service‑leavers excel at problem‑solving, adapting to change and learning new skills quickly. He credits his work ethic and ability to “just get on with it” for his success in the start‑up world.

22:37 Financial realities: Rob acknowledges the need for humility—accepting a lower initial salary and title—and stresses the importance of budgeting, especially if you have dependants or mortgages.

24:32 Fundraising & hiring challenges: Rob discusses different funding routes (equity, debt) and admits that hiring and firing are the toughest parts of leadership.

26:53 Advice to service‑leavers: Learn the language of business, build foundational financial skills and translate your military experience into commercial terms. Rob recommends mini-MBAs and continued education to build confidence.

32:55 The power of planning & coffee: Rob advises veterans to explore roles through shadowing and networking before they leave, creating opportunities that might otherwise be missed.

39:05 Final reflections: Tom and Jamie reflect on the inspirational nature of Rob’s journey and note that entrepreneurial paths are varied—some require deep research, others rely on gut instinct and passion.

About our guest:

Rob Palmer is a former RAF weapons‑systems engineer and Royal Engineer troop commander who now champions sustainable carbon‑removal technologies. After Nimrod’s cancellation, he transferred to the Royal Engineers, commanding bomb‑search units and serving with 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment.

Post‑service, Rob joined the Future Forest Company (Undo) as Director of Innovation, helping operationalise science projects in biochar and enhanced rock weathering. Inspired to create his own impact, he co‑founded Tera Carbon under Kenya’s Tamu Group, converting sugar‑cane waste into biochar. Biochar’s porous structure makes it ideal for retaining moisture and nutrients, improving soil health and acting as a long‑term carbon sink pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govbiochar-us.org.

By improving yields and sequestering carbon, Tera Carbon aims to support both climate mitigation and rural livelihoods. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn and learn more about his work at teracarbon.earth and The Future Forest Company.

Resources & links:

1. What is biochar? – Biochar is produced by pyrolysis, heating plant biomass in an oxygen‑limited environment. The resulting charcoal‑like material has a network of pores that makes it a stable carbon sinkpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
2. Biochar’s benefits – Biochar’s physical and chemical structure allows it to attract and hold moisture and nutrientsbiochar-us.org. Its large surface area and porous architecture provide habitat for microbes, enhancing nutrient uptakebiochar-us.org. It also reduces soil acidity and persists in soil for centuriesbiochar-us.org.
3. Soil health & carbon sequestration – Scientific reviews note that biochar improves soil pH, cation exchange capacity, pore size distribution, bulk density and water‑holding capacitypmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, while reducing nutrient leaching and greenhouse‑gas emissionsbiochar-us.org.
4. Continuous learning – Veterans considering entrepreneurship can boost their business skills through short courses or mini‑MBAs. Understanding basic finance, business planning and digital skills helps translate military experience into commercial success.
5. HighGround’s support – Explore HighGround’s virtual and residential Rural Weeks for guidance on land‑based careers and to connect with employers across agriculture, horticulture, forestry, conservation and agri‑tech. Learn more at highground‑uk.org.

Call to action

If Rob’s story resonates with you, share this episode with fellow service‑leavers, reservists or anyone curious about sustainability and entrepreneurship. Consider attending a HighGround Rural Week to gain hands‑on experience and network with employers. Whether you dream of founding a start‑up or joining an innovative firm, the land‑based sector offers opportunities that blend purpose, profit and environmental stewardship.