Staff List

Chief Executive Officer
Salvador Potter BSc
Salvador has over 30 years experience in international agri-businesses from cattle ranching through the chemical industry and biotechnology to plant breeding. A career spent translating applied research into practical application and commercial reality; serving the last 10 years as a board director.
Technical Director
Anthony  Biddle BA, MPhil, PhD, CBiol, MIBiol
First degree with the Open University and then completed a Masters in seed physiology with Nottingham University before being awarded a PhD by Manchester Metropolitan University for research on pea root diseases.
Oversees the research and development programme and advisory service for both vegetables and pulses.

Principal Technical Officers
Stephen Belcher BSc(Hons)
Main responsibilities include all variety evaluations including Recommended & Descriptive Lists, other agronomy work, trials equipment, trial ground management and information technology.




Jim Scrimshaw BSc(Hons), MBPR (Agric), FACTS
Jim has worked for PGRO since 1988.
Main responsibilities involve the managing and carrying out of PGRO’s pesticide research and development field trials; providing telephone advice on pea and  bean problems particularly herbicide issues.

Senior Technical Officers
Becky Ward, BSc(Hons), MPhil, MBPR (Agric), FACTS
Main responsibilities include: Managing and carrying out pesticide trials on pulses and vegetable legumes; providing advice on pests and diseases of peas and beans; running the plant pest, disease and disorder diagnostic clinic.
Currently studying for a PhD with Newcastle University.

Paul Armitage, BSc (Hort) MBPR (Agric), FACTS
Over 30 years in the seed trade.
Laboratory manager.
Trials work through the summer.

Shona Johnson, BSc(Hons)
After 16 years working for Birds Eye research, Shona joined PGRO in 2009 to bring her extensive knowledge of vining pea trials.
Main responsibilties – Drilling and harvesting of all vining pea and pulse variety trials, as well as other vegetable species.
Glasshouse and field multiplication work.
 
Technical Officers
Mark White BSc(Hons)
Main responsibilities – As a qualified seed analyst much of his time is spent undertaking seed and soil tests as well as assisting with trials work. Since 2000 he has taken care of the tenderometer standardisation service and processing of trials produce. PGRO. He is also a first-aider.

Susan Thompson BSc(Agric), PGCE (Secondary Science),  MBPR (Agric)
Main responsibilities include pea seed mosaic virus testing, assisting with the seed and laboratory services and conducting and assessing herbicide and fungides trials.

John Nash BSc
Main responsibilities - assistance with all areas of trials work including drilling and harvesting. A competent member of the seed testing and laboratory services team.

Assistant Technical Officers
 Robert Glover BSc(Hons), AMSB
robHonours degree in Botany with the University of Reading and years of experience within the horticulture industry. Main responsibilities - assistance with all areas of trials work including drilling and harvesting.




 

Joanna Arden
joMain responsibilities - assistance with seed and laboratory tests as well as assisting with trials work. Tenderometer standardisation service and processing of trials produce.

 

 

 

Assistant Technical Officer
Thomas Sloan BSc(Hons)
joMain responsibilities - assistance with  with trials work.

 

 

 

 


Finance Officer
Jane Hunt
Jane deals with all things financial.

 

 

 

 

 

Membership Secretary
Susan Bingham
Responsibilities include PGRO membership, levy collection, mailing lists, contact for The Pulse / Vegetable Magazine, publications and Cereals Event.

 

 

 

 


Administrative Officer
Jill Sardeson
Responsible for Reception, Conference Centre bookings and providing secretarial support to CEO and PGRO’s technical team.

 

 

 

 

 

BBRO secretariat
Jean Maskell
Jean provides admin and secretarial services to the British Beet Research Organisation

 

 

 

 


Site Engineer
Will Greaves
Maintenance.