UK-based soft fruit company Berry Gardens has appointed Richard Harnden to the position of director of research.
Mr Harnden has more than thirty years' experience in the soft- and stonefruit businesses and is well-known across the industry for “his passion, expertise, dedication and enthusiasm for the subject having been a grower himself”.
He is also a plant propagator and has served on a wide range of industry bodies as a technical expert.
Mr Harnden has been an employee of the company for over fifteen years – most recently in the more general role of technical development director.
Managing director Nicholas Marston said: “We are keen to benefit from Richard’s huge knowledge and experience in the areas of research and technology, by allowing him to focus his time and huge enthusiasm on both the gathering of information on a global scale, and also the clear and effective dissemination of this.
“There are great gains to be made for us as a group if we can maximise the effective uptake of new technology. This takes time and focus.
“Richard will have a key role in ensuring Berry Gardens and our growers remain at the forefront of the UK industry in terms of new technologies involved in production, the environmentally responsible and effective treatment of pests and disease, and our varietal offer, especially in the area of new crops and products.'
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