08/02/10 East Malling Research - Corporate restructuring

East Malling Research (EMR), recognised as an international centre of excellence for fruit research, will now focus totally on the advancement and application of horticultural science following a corporate restructure.

Under the auspices of Dr Mike Solomon, Chief Executive of EMR, the team of scientists will continue to help UK and international growers to improve production and quality, safeguard the environment and adapt to the impact of climate change.

Until now, EMR’s activities at East Malling have also included commercial operations. As a part of the restructuring, the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research will become an incorporated charity limited by guarantee and EMR and East Malling Ltd will become subsidiaries of the Trust.

Commercial activities that would previously have come under EMR will become the responsibility of Adrian Padfield, Chief Executive of the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research, who will also head up East Malling Ltd.  This company will manage the East Malling Conference Centre, property lettings, the East Malling Farm and Malling Fine Foods, together with the commercial operations of the East Malling Trust.

Commenting on the restructuring, Dr Ian Graham-Bryce, Chairman of East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research, which is the UK’s largest independent funder of fruit research and owner of the 600 acre farm estate, said: “Recently Hilary Benn Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, heaped praise on the work of the team at EMR and rightly said that food security is as important to this country’s future well-being, and the world’s, as energy security.

“This move allows the EMR management to focus on what they do best, and that is horticultural and scientific research and their already strong ties with industry and Defra to secure further funding for their work. The Trust will continue its strong support for EMR, which in recent years has been running at approximately £1 million annually.”

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