Three new board members for HDC

The Horticultural Development Company has announced three new members to its board.

Kent soft-fruit grower Marion Regan, independent consultant Michael Mann, who has a background in the cut-flower industry, and Martin Emmett, a West Sussex ornamentals grower, have all been named as new board members.

Regan said that the HDC is vital to the success of British growers.

'HDC funds are always limited in comparison with what needs to be done so we need to spend them wisely – and HDC already has a good record of doing that because it’s good at keeping its finger on the pulse of the industry.

“It’s easy to take HDC’s work for granted but we use it every day on the farm, from crop-protection products applied under EAMUs to the work that’s been done at East Malling on irrigation.”

The three new members will replace and take up the vacancies of Harriet Duncalfe, outgoing chair of the Soft Fruit Panel; Alan Davis, outgoing chair of the Protected Ornamentals Panel; and Gordon Flint, outgoing chair of the Bulbs and Outdoor Flowers Panel.