Uwe received his undergraduate degree in physics and business administration and his PhD in complex system theory and brain research from the University of Frankfurt. He also worked on various research assignments at Columbia University, New York and Ecole Normale Superieur, Paris. As an honorary professor of Physics, he lectures at the University of Frankfurt. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. In he won the ACE European CEO of the Year award.

He began his career at the international strategy consulting firm A.T. Kearney, followed by several positions at Hochtief AG, a $ billion international provider of construction and engineering services. Posts during his years at Hochtief AG included SVP and Chairman of Turner International (a subsidiary of Hochtief AG); CEO of Central Eastern Europe and SVP of Corporate Development. In addition, he serves on the Board of Gategroup Holding AG.

He left his position at Atkins as the company was acquired by SNC Lavalin and delisted from the London Stock Exchange effective July . From February to July , he was President of Cleantech Switzerland, a Swiss export platform that provides support to companies in the area of sustainability on behalf of the Swiss Federal Government. In addition, he served as Senior Advisor for TPG Capital. Until September , he was CEO of Oerlikon Group, a $ billion Swiss company, whose six business units included a surface coating and a vacuum pump division.

Allan is a Non-Executive member of the Element Materials Technology Group Board. He has had an extensive and varied business career holding a series of high profile roles for major corporations in the food, retail, FMCG and communications sectors including that of Chief Executive of Asda and Pandora; Non-Executive Chair of the Co-operative Group; and Non-Executive Chairman of the Royal Mail, Entertainment One plc, and Wagamama Ltd.

Jo was appointed CEO of the Element Group in and is responsible for the overall strategic direction and growth of the Group. He previously served as the Group CFO since and was a board member of the Group following its buyout from Stork in . Before Element, he built a career in private equity and led the investment in several global testing businesses in both Europe and the US, including the buyout of Element in .