HortLINK is a government initiative to support collaborative research for the horticulture industry. To date it has launched 32 projects worth £16.4million.

Bosley said: 'I am delighted to accept this appointment and will work hard to ensure the continuous development of the HortLINK programme. Innovation and timely research will make a real difference to the success and competitiveness of our horticultural industry. To make that happen our objective must be to attract new and dynamic partnerships between industry and science that have clear scientific and commercial goals in sight.'