Our Story
Tree was born from the belief that technology can be a powerful force in reversing climate change. What started as a simple yet ambitious experiment in a Norfolk workshop evolved into a mission to develop scalable, impactful solutions for carbon capture, energy storage, and more. From that first breakthrough — unlocking the potential of a two-phase expansion turbine — our purpose became clear: to harness innovation for the health of our planet and future generations.
Founded in Norfolk
In 2014, co-founders Bernard Killingbeck and Tim Hayward started Tree Associates out of a modest workshop in Norfolk. Bernard was the engineering mind behind the technology, developing the refrigeration and turbine systems that would become the foundation of everything Tree has built. Tim provided the investment and belief to give those ideas the runway they needed. Two people, one shared conviction.
Growing into Fakenham
As the science proved itself, the business outgrew the shed. A move to a dedicated site in Fakenham marked the shift from experiment to enterprise. New people joined, and the culture that still defines us today — rigorous, grounded, and purposeful — began to take shape.
Today the focus has shifted from research and development to real-world application. That transition accelerated with the arrival of CEO Johan Neethling, who brought the commercial vision and strategic sharpness to match the technical depth the team had spent years building. His goal — and ours — is straightforward: Tree's technology is ready. The work now is making sure the world can access it.
Scaling at Hethel Innovation
That growth continued when Tree relocated to Hethel Innovation, Norfolk's home for high-growth engineering companies. Here we had the infrastructure and community to take our technology seriously. The team grew from two to fourteen, each person drawn in by the scale of the problem and the quality of the work being done to address it.
A New Chapter — Commercialisation
Today the focus has shifted from research and development to real-world application. That transition accelerated with the arrival of CEO Johan Neethling, who brought the commercial vision and strategic sharpness to match the technical depth the team had spent years building. His goal — and ours — is straightforward: Tree's technology is ready. The work now is making sure the world can access it.
Measuring Our Progress
We commit to transparency and rigorous measurement through regular reporting. Our progress will be shared openly—celebrating milestones, addressing challenges, and continuously refining our approach to ensure maximum impact.
Our Promise
By embracing our bold vision and unwavering values, we at Tree commit ourselves to meaningful climate action, innovative technological advancements, and responsible stewardship of our shared home. Together, we are building a brighter, sustainable future—one gigaton at a time.