Contract income was up 18 per cent during the 2013-14 financial year for East Malling Research (EMR).
The figures, contained in the East Malling Research Annual Report 2014, highlight further growth for the Kent-based centre of excellence in plant science, and build on a similar rise in 2012-13.
EMR claims that the rise coincides with Innovate UK funding, which brings 50 per cent government match-funding to industry investments.
Professor Peter Gregory, EMR’s new director of external affairs, having recently stood down from his position as chief executive, said: “2014 was an exciting year as the organisation continues to climb in stature: both scientifically and with increased impact to commerce.
'During 2014, EMR established a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary East Malling Services (EMS). EMS is now the route for IP exploitation of EMR science – it offers well-established commercial benefits that many of the UK’s centres of scientific excellence have pursued.'
He added: 'Another key activity of the reporting year was the publication of an independent report entitled, Capturing the socio-economic impact of East Malling Research. The report found that EMR’s historical impact through advances in rootstocks and controlled-atmosphere storage alone resulted in nearly £9 billion in added value to the global fruit economy. Ongoing research is resulting in at least £7.50 being returned to the UK economy for every £1 spent at EMR.'
On his positional change, Gregory said: “I am delighted to have secured a role at EMR that will enable me to continue with many important aspects of securing EMR’s future, and yet also provide me with some extra time to devote to my other horticultural and scientific interests.'
Day-to-day management of EMR is now being undertaken by an executive team which report directly to the EMR board of directors.
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