Two employees at Horticultural Research International (HRI) have been recognised for their contributions to horticultural research in the New Year Honours list.
Tom Heller has been awarded an MBE for services to agricultural and horticultural research and Noreen Maude has received an MBE for services to horticultural research.
Professor Michael Wilson, HRI's chief executive, congratulated them both on their awards. He said: “I am delighted that Noreen has been honoured with an MBE for 36 years of exceptional service. I am also delighted that Tom has been rewarded. He was instrumental in the establishment of HRI in 1990 and has worked hard to ensure the success of the future merger between HRI and the University of Warwick, and the establishment of the new organisation, East Malling Research.”
Heller has worked in the research sector for 31 years. He moved to Kent in 1987, following 10 years at the Welsh Plant Breeding Institute, to become company secretary and director of corporate services at the then newly formed Institute of Horticultural Research. He also played a key role in the establishment of HRI in 1990. Following his formal retirement as HRI company secretary in 2001, he remained with the organisation to guide it through the quinquennial review process.
Maude's 36 years of service at HRI has involved a variety of roles. She began her career as a scientific assistant working on a white rot disease of salad onions, before moving onto an administrative role as senior personal secretary to the head of the plant pathology department. Maude continued to work for the company secretary and head of the administration and support services division at HRI. As personal assistant, she has supported two chief executives over the past 11 years.
