The future direction of the Horticulture Innovation Partnership (HIP) is under review, with the organisation set for a narrower remit.
Chair Mary Bosley and executive director Mark Tatchell are stepping down after three years establishing the partnership, which links the research and commercial sides of the industry to help boost innovation and market growth.
The review of HIP is being led by Steve Tones, strategy director for horticulture at AHDB and acting executive at HIP, and is expected to be completed by March.
Three key functions have already been identified as crucial to the body's future strategy: goal setting and strategy direction for R&D along the whole supply chain, including input from growers and trade associations; collaboration between research funders to improve alignment of funding programmes addressing industry needs; and collaboration between research providers and identifying gaps in research provision.
Over 100 respondents to a stakeholder questionnaire identified these areas, but they also said that other key activities could be taken on by bodies such as AHDB and KTN (Knowledge Transfer Network).
The HIP board and steering group said in a statement that they welcomed the clarity on the narrower remit of the HIP, adding that further work is required on the body's funding model.
Harriet Duncalfe, chair of the HIP Communications Working Group, thanked Bosley and Tatchell for their work, adding that they would continue to support the industry within their ongoing work, including managing the Horticulture and Potato Initiative.
Tones has called for the industry to contact him with their views on the future of HIP. He can be reached at stevetones@hip.org.uk.
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