Nigel Bartle is to step down as chairman of the Tomato Growers’ Association (TGA).
Following 20 years growing tomatoes, working in both Spain and the UK, and developing the award-winning Cornerways Nursery for British Sugar, Bartle is moving on to growing experimental crops in East Yorkshire.
He said: “It has been a great pleasure and a privilege to chair the association, but as I move to look at other crops, I think it is more appropriate that someone actively growing a major commercial area of tomatoes chairs the association.
'I feel the association is in good shape - last year we won the Grower of the Year award for our marketing campaign for British Tomato Week, and had a hugely successful conference in our new venue at Stoneleigh.
'With a vibrant technical committee, a well-followed newsletter and a representative membership, the association has huge potential and the time is right for someone new at the helm.”
He added: “I will always have a passion and connection with tomatoes. However I equally have as much enthusiasm for ensuring we have a long-term UK glasshouse industry in its broadest sense, and the possibility to look at other crops was just too good an opportunity to miss.”
Bartle will still maintain links with the edibles sector through the board of Stockbridge Technology Centre, which is a member of the TGA itself, and where there is a major project on tomatoes currently in progress.
Bartle will stay on in his role as TGA chair until February. His replacement is yet to be finalised.
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