East Malling Trust has appointed Sally Flanagan as its business development director to help the charitable trust strengthen it ties with the business community, academia and key industry and community organisations.
Based at Bradbourne House, from where the trust supports international horticultural research to help increase the productivity of the country’s soft and top fruit growers, Flanagan will work closely with chief executive Adrian Padfield and Will Sibley, the trust’s chairman, as well as the team at East Malling Research.
She joins the trust from Hadlow College, where she was business and work force development manager. She was a member of the management team that played a key role in taking the college to a grade one ‘Outstanding’ status in 2010 from an Ofsted grade four in 2004.
Sibley said: “We are determined to play our part in helping the country’s land-based community to secure a strong voice and push the case for further investment in scientific research in Whitehall. Given Sally’s experience and knowledge of the horticultural and agricultural industry we are delighted she has agreed to join us.”
Flanagan said: “With food security and adapting to climate change increasingly on the agenda, it is clear that the Trust, and the work of East Malling Research, are internationally important. I am delighted to be joining the team and playing my part in nurturing the already strong relations between the Trust and key organisations in the land-based community.”
Flanagan, who lives in Hadlow, enjoys cycling, is a keen horserider and regularly competes in equestrian events.
