The BBRO Directors are pleased to announce Stephen Swainston’s appointment to the role of Managing Director of the British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) from 27th May.
Most recently Stephen has run his own consultancy company advising fresh produce and horticulture companies on commercial, business growth and routes to market. For the previous 15 years he has held senior leadership roles with UK Salads, The Ethical Food Company, Berry Gardens, Mack Multiples, and Flamingo Holdings (UK). He has also spent ten years working in the Netherlands, including five years with Bos Brothers (a Division of Wm Morrison Produce Ltd).
Stephen said: “I am thrilled to be joining BBRO, I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at BBRO as well as on farms to help drive and communicate advancements, that can actually help to make a meaningful impact on UK farms across the country”
Kit Papworth, BBRO Director and Chair of NFU Sugar’s board said: “We are delighted to welcome Stephen to the BBRO. He comes with an impressive track record of leadership and delivery in the fresh produce and horticulture sectors, coupled with experience of working with farmers and growers around the world. My fellow Directors and I look forward to Stephen leading the BBRO team to deliver even greater value for our home-grown sugar industry.”
Keith Packer, BBRO Director and Managing Director of British Sugar said: “On behalf of everyone at British Sugar we are pleased to extend a very warm welcome to Stephen to the BBRO team. His leadership and expertise comes at a pivotal time for the BBRO as they continue their innovative research to support the resilience of the UK sugar beet sector.”
The BBRO Directors would like to thank Professor Mark Stevens for acting as interim Head of BBRO since last September. Once Stephen is in role, Mark will return to his critical role as Head of Science at BBRO, and President of the International Institute of Sugar Beet Research (IIRB) for 2025 and 2026.
Notes
- The British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) is jointly funded and governed by NFU Sugar (on behalf of growers) and British Sugar
- BBRO aims to deliver robust research, proving technical information to support growers and the wider industry with the knowledge and resources required to grow a healthy sugar beet crop in the UK. For more information on BBRO please visit bbro.co.uk.
- For more information on British Sugar please visit britishsugar.com
- For more information on NFU Sugar please visit nfuonline.com/sectors/nfu-sugar/
- For more information on IIRB please visit: iirb.org
