UK crop research organisation NIAB has appointed Steven Tompkins in a new role of Business Development Manager and Emily Borton as a trainee regional agronomist for the south of England, effective immediately.
Steven will be responsible for securing new commercial and research funding, promoting the organisation’s role as a leading provider of innovative agricultural research and technical services in the UK.
An environmental management graduate of the University of Leeds Steven joins NIAB from a senior business development consultancy role within ADAS. He has a background in aiding food sector clients in implementing sustainability plans and managing risk across agricultural supply chains. He has led several major UK and EU government funded strategic research projects in conjunction with industry and developed new revenue streams by providing applied research and policy advice to a range of public and private customers.
Steven says: “I am very excited to be joining such an ambitious organisation that stands in a unique place in connecting the science base to industry. My immediate focus is to build on NIAB’s excellent relationships with clients in the agri-food sector, and develop new links to deliver solutions that have a real impact for the industry.”
Emily Borton will be supporting Southern Regional Agronomist Steve Cook in providing agronomy information and technical services to NIAB TAG members across the region, whilst working closely with fellow regional agronomists Richard Overthrow, Patrick Stephenson and Andrew Watson.
An award-winning agriculture graduate of Newcastle University, including the Yorkshire Agriculture Association medal for best performing agriculture student, Emily joins NIAB TAG from Duchy College in Cornwall where she worked as a crop production lecturer. BASIS qualified Emily’s previous experience includes a graduate lecturer position in crop production at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire and a potato agronomy role at Greenvale AP in the Scottish Borders.
NIAB TAG’s Technical Director Bill Clark says: “Steven and Emily’s appointments are part of an ongoing process to attract fresh new talent and strengthen the NIAB team as we aim to become an unrivalled source of research expertise and provider of technical services across the UK.
“Steven is an outstanding appointment for NIAB as we extend our influence beyond our traditional customer base. His extensive experience and contribution to the business is welcomed and I know that he will lead our business development into new areas. Emily will be a great asset, not only to our regional agronomy team and crop specialists, but to the whole organisation, in the development and communication of our agronomic direction and technical strategy. I’m delighted that they have both chosen to further their careers with NIAB.”