East Malling Research (EMR) has appointed Gary Saunders in the newly created role of horticultural manager (science).
Saunders will work closely with EMR’s head of science, farm manager and science team leaders to facilitate new scientific field activities and trialling.
Saunders will provide an important link between research scientists and field and glasshouse staff, as well as providing expertise and advice on current commercial crop husbandry. He will also develop opportunities for EMR for commercial trials and demonstration projects.
This post will enable field-based research to be developed and allow EMR’s commercial activities to be expanded, to deliver high-quality plant trials services, particularly within the fresh produce sector.
Saunders is an experienced horticulture manager and advisor with a strong commercial focus and a track record in operations management and trials co-ordination.
A scientist by training, he holds a BSc (Hons) in horticulture from Wye College, University of London, where he received the IPPS prize for Best Final Year Student. He also holds a post-graduate diploma in soil science and an MPhil from Imperial, where he studied soil and plant interactions.
Dr Chris Atkinson, head of science at EMR, said: “It is very good news for EMR that Gary has taken on this role. I am looking forward to working with him to develop and expand EMR’s ability to provide a wider range of trialling services across the whole supply chain.”
Saunders has held positions as a micropropagation technologist at Notcutts Nurseries in Woodbridge, Suffolk, where he had sole responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the micropropagation Unit. He subsequently became propagation growing manager at Edward Vinson Plants in Faversham.
Most recently, Saunders held the position of trials co-ordinator and advisor at Farm Advisory Services Team (FAST) Ltd in Faversham, where he was responsible for all aspects of their trial programme.
