Who’s headed for pastures new?

• Sainsbury’s has appointed Christian Hickey to take over as stone-fruit and tropical-fruit buyer, following the departure of Dom Schulenberg last week.

Hickey is moving over having been a buyer on health and beauty for Sainsbury’s for the past two-and-a-half years.

Prior to joining Sainsbury’s he worked in buying for the retail chain Tie Rack. Schulenberg, who has worked for the retailer for the past five years, as both soft-fruit and exotics buyer, is leaving for a sales position in chilled convenience food manufacturer Bighams.

• Ronald Bown, president of the Chilean Exporters Association has been elected president of the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters (Shaffe), at its recent AGM.

He will be replacing outgoing Shaffe president Phil Alison of Pip Fruit Growers, New Zealand.

• The British Potato Council has announced the re-appointments of Richard Harris and Barry Leathwood.

Harris, director-general of the Potato Processors Association and president of the European Association of Potato Processors, will serve on the council until September 30, 2006.

Meanwhile, Leathwood, who retired as national secretary of the rural and agricultural section of the Transport & General Workers Union, will serve until May 31, 2008.

The BPC is a levy-funded body which commissions research and development, disseminates market information and promotes home and overseas markets on behalf of the UK potato industry.

• Nursery Fresh Plants has recently appointed, Lawrence King as business development manager.

King, who has previous experience of 20 years in sales and marketing, will be responsible for the development of new business within the independent garden centre sector and multiples.

Nursery Fresh Plants Ltd; the marketing company, of Keston Nurseries supplies bedding, alpines, herbs and shrubs.

• The NFU has cut the first turf in its wholesale move from London to its new headquarters at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

President Tim Bennett was on hand to cut the sod along with Mike Calvert, chief executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

The brand new ultra-modern building, which will be energy efficient, environment-friendly and sustainable, will house staff making the move from the capital, although the NFU said it will still maintain a central London office in order to provide a vital lobbying presence close to Parliament.