Horticultural Research International has announced the redundancy of approximately 100 staff at Wellesbourne, Kirton and Efford. The position of staff at East Malling and Wye has yet to be decided, as negotiations between East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research (EMTHR) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have not yet concluded.
Lord Whitty confirmed in July that the work of HRI Wellesbourne and HRI Kirton has been secured through a merger with the University of Warwick. However, the reduction in staffing levels is necessary to ensure that HRI can continue to meet its customers requirements.
HRI management has expressed deep regrets that the need for redundancies has come and has stressed that a range of support services will be available to all staff facing redundancy. The organisation has also expressed gratitude for the support received from its stakeholders, funders and the horticultural industry over the past 12 years.
