One of salad sector's 'most respected characters' passes away

The former MD of Bedfordshire Growers - who initially joined the business back in 1977 - has died.

Alastair Waters initially joined the business as a management trainee, and apart from five years away from the business to set up his own mushroom farm, he dedicated his career to Bedfordshire Growers, finally retiring in 2013 after a stint as managing director.

Stephen Hedderly, the current MD at Bedfordshire Growers, said: 'It is with great sadness that we have lost Alastair. He was simply one of the most respected characters in the salad industry, and a true gentleman - a person respected in so many different areas of our industry, a great mind, innovator and truly fantastic personality.

'All of our thoughts at this very difficult time are with his wife Jane, daughter Harriet, and sons Tom and David.”