Our Team
Opsydia emerged from Dynamic Optics and Photonics group, part of the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford.
We combine decades of world-leading scientific research with extensive and successful industrial experience.
Dr. Noel Moore
ChIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Noel is a highly experienced photonics industry professional having held senior technical and commercial roles in VC backed start-ups, PE backed scale ups and publicly traded companies.
He was an senior executive in a $2bn IPO listing (2021) and lead several M&A events (2022-2024) in the range of €10-80M. Previously he held full P&L responsibility for a €30M optics business unit with manufacturing locations in Europe and China and has worked extensively in Asia, US and Europe. He is an experienced board director at VC and PE backed companies. He holds a doctorate in chemical physics from Wayne State University and an MBA from Rutgers University. Noel is passionate about technology, innovation and commercial success and enjoys building teams to deliver on these goals.
Leigh Henry
Head of Finance and Administration
Leigh leads our business support activities across Finance and Administration having joined Opsydia in 2018 and is working towards the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) qualification. Beginning her career in the legal sector after graduation from the University of Southampton, she has worked within different types of businesses including the NHS, local council, the University of Oxford and since 2017 in early-stage tech spinouts.
Matthew Ashdale
Head of Software
Matthew joined us in 2022, bringing over 10 years experience in designing and implementing complex software architectures for hardware systems in both the academic and private sectors.
Heading up Software Engineering here at Opsydia, he is responsible for growing and managing the software team to be capable of solving technical problems effectively and ensuring best practices for application security
Dr. Phil Diggle
Head of SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Starting as a Systems Engineer in early 2023, Phil brought a wealth of knowledge in the diamond growth, crystal defects and optics before transitioning to Head of Systems Engineering mid 2024.
Having been one of the first cohort members of the Diamond Science and Technology CDT, gaining a MSc from Warwick; he then went on to complete his PhD in Physics. In 2018, Phil joined De Beers as a research scientist as part of the consumer confidence team continuing research into diamond growth and defects. Leaving there in 2022, Phil joined Imperial College London as a PDRA to build a hyperspectral and confocal microscope to characterise diamond suitable for quantum-based applications, where he continues as a visiting academic.
Matthew Casey
Systems Engineer
Matthew joined Opsydia in 2024 after graduating from the University of Oxford with a Master’s degree in Physics. In his time there, he specialised in theoretical physics, lasers and optics. His masters project, along with subsequent internship, was with the Quantum and Optical technology research group where he worked on optical neural networks.
As a Systems Engineer, he uses this background to contribute to the research and development of our waveguide writing platform.
Joseph Dixon
Systems Engineer
Joseph graduated from the University of Oxford in 2021 with a Master’s degree in Physics. During his time there he built a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor for adaptively correcting wavefront aberrations. As his Master’s project he built a radio telescope and used it to observe the spiral arms of the galaxy. Joseph joined Opsydia in September 2021 after a successful internship the previous summer.
Sarah Griffiths
Materials Control and Procurement Specialist
Sarah started her career in the health and wellness industry, gaining experience in management, marketing and HR and administration. She earned her BSc in 2015, training and then practicing as a Midwife, where showing initiative, responsibility and patience were essential. She brought these qualities to Opsydia as Finance & Office Administrator in 2019, alongside studying for a Diploma in Bookkeeping. Sarah’s role has now progressed to Materials Control and Procurement Specialist within the Production Team, and is responsible for materials purchasing, implementing works order processes and financial reporting.
She also plays a key role in our dedication to health and safety management as a Mental Health First Responder within the company.
Luke Parker
Field Service Engineer
Luke joined Opsydia in 2023, bringing across experience from varied engineering sectors including oil, gas and robotics. Having worked as an international Field Service Engineer in micro machining, he’s worked closely with Harvard universities and MIT to create and implement novel laser solutions. As part of our service team Luke is the first point of contact for customers; being responsible for the installation, commissioning and maintenance of our systems deployed worldwide
Dr. James Patchett
SENIOR APPLICATIONS ENGINEER
James joined Opsydia in 2023 after completing his PhD in physics at the University of Cambridge. Previously, he worked in microelectronics research, where he investigated the coupling of magnetic and electronic phenomena in micron sized devices. As a Systems Engineer here, he develops new fabrication capabilities using Opsydia’s laser technology, and works with clients to create new products and solutions.
Naresh Ratnala
LEAD MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Naresh joined us in 2022, bringing over 10 years of experience in design for electromechanical and optomechanical products.
As a Mechanical Design Engineer, Naresh works collaboratively with the systems and software engineering teams; responsible for the architecture and design of mechanical systems for our precision laser fabrication and gemstone viewer solutions. This includes leading and undertaking the core product mechanical design, working with external design houses and maintaining the documentation processes, controls, and best practices for sustainable development.
Thoko Stott
Office & HR Manager
Thoko joined us as an Office Administrator in November 2022 after more than a decade’s worth of management experience in the events and hospitality industry.
Now as Office & HR Manager, she leads the HR and Health and Safety function at Opsydia and provides essential support for the efficient running of core administrative functions including finance, logistics and team support. Thoko is currently working towards a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management.
Eusebiu Sutu
SOFTWARE Engineer
Eusebiu joined Opsydia in 2023 as a Software Engineer intern and later in 2024 as a full-time Software Engineer after submitting his thesis as part of a DPhil in interdisciplinary bioscience at the University of Oxford.
His previous work focused on correcting for the change in transmission of multi-mode optical fibres using adaptive optics for use in in-vivo biological imaging. As part of this work, he has also investigated a different approach in simulating Bragg gratings inside of multi-mode optical fibres.
As a Software Engineer here, Eusebiu is focusing on creating control software based on computer vision for automating processes in Opsydia’s products. However, his engineering and optics background allows for his contributions to not be restricted to strictly Software.
Craig Wall
Senior Production ENGINEER
Craig graduated from The University Of West London in 2018 with an MSc in Digital Audio Engineering. Since then he has worked in R&D for the Pro Audio Industry, and enjoys playing music in his spare time. He joined the company in 2022, and is responsible for optimising production output and contributing to electrical design.
Munya Ziyenge
SENIOR SYSTEMS Engineer
Munya joined us in 2023 bringing over 10 years’ experience of research, design and engineering of laser micro machining systems. Holding an MSc in Physics, his knowledge spans from laser process development and optics to sub-system integration.
As a Systems Engineer here, Munya contributes to the early-stage research and development of our systems along with supporting commissioning of our laser systems deployed worldwide.