Hargreaves Plants Limited has made two new appointments to maintain its rapid growth in the soft-fruit category.
John Buttler will take control of sales and development of the strawberry plant business both in the UK and overseas.
He was previously sales director at Avoncrop Limited where he was responsible for key accounts, and he managed soft-fruit production at Follyfoot Farm in Somerset.
Buttler said: “I know the industry well, and I know Hargreaves Plants equally well, both as a customer for plants and as a regular supplier.
“I am impressed with the whole set up including working with breeders, expanding plant production, and planning to expand sales everywhere.
“There is a formidable target to double sales in five years. That will be something to achieve.”
Buttler's appointment follows a management restructure in Hargreaves Plants which will see the company splitting its management and crop development by species and product.
Rupert Hargreaves, commercial director at Hargreaves Plants, will supervise these activities.
Dr Karen Girard is also set to join Hargreaves Plants in January 2007 after working as a research and development manager at Hillers Nurseries Limited on the south west coast for 10 years.
Paul Taylor, chairman at Hargreaves Plants, said: “Karen has exactly the right background for us. She will work directly with Rupert Hargreaves on maintaining our important breeder contacts, developing trials and identifying new varieties. In addition, it is intended that she will develop a customer network wherever our licenses permit.”
Dr Girard said: “I have really enjoyed my role at Hillers but this is such a novel opportunity. Given the recent rapid increase in popularity of soft fruits, this is going to be an exciting sector in which to work.”
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