Stuart Stubbins is leaving Marks & Spencer to join the company and help it develop its soft-fruit plant propagation and marketing of new varieties.

'Normally there is very little contact between plant propagators and multiple retail outlets,' said Paul Taylor, Hargreaves ceo. 'Our increasing representation of world-class breeders of soft fruit and asparagus means that we expect to have varieties to introduce in the near future. With more than 30 years experience in buying for Marks & Spencer, Stuart Stubbins will bring a wealth of knowledge we lack.' Hargreaves has some very ambitious plans for its trialling activity and will be relocating next year to a customised location. 'We have some interesting material already, but checking the yields and fruit quality is only part of the issue,' admitted Taylor. 'We need to have the varieties approved by professional fruit buyers. Stuart Stubbins should fill this role ideally.'

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