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News
Sir Peter Kendall becomes interim chair of Rothamsted Research Board
Appointment brings brings a wealth of agricultural sector experience
Sir Peter Kendall has been appointed as interim Board Chair at Rothamsted Research. He will hold the role for an initial period of 12 months during which time a formal process to seek a permanent chair will take place.
Sir Peter replaces Sir John Beddington who stood down in December after successfully acting as the Chair since 2014.
Sir Peter is a fifth-generation arable and poultry farmer from Bedfordshire and was President of the National Farmers' Union from 2006 until 2014.. He has also served as president of the World Farmer’s Organisation, as chair of the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board and was a board member of the Lawes Agricultural Trust . He was knighted in the 2015 New Year Honours.
Professor Angela Karp, Director and CEO of Rothamsted Research said, “We are absolutely delighted with the appointment of Sir Peter. He brings a wealth of experience in the agricultural sector, both as a successful farmer and as someone who has been intimately involved with UK agricultural policy for many years. These are challenging times for everyone, farmers, agricultural businesses and research organisations alike. We look forward to working with Peter in ensuring RRes remains at the forefront of transforming agriculture through the impact of its science.”
Contacts
James Clarke
Director of Communications and Engagement
ABOUT ROTHAMSTED RESEARCH
Rothamsted Research is the longest-running agricultural research institute in the world. We work from gene to field with a proud history of ground-breaking
discoveries in areas as diverse as crop management, statistical interpretation and soil health. Our founders, in 1843, were the pioneers of modern
agriculture, and we are known for our imaginative science and our collaborative approach to developing innovative farm practice.
Through independent research, we make significant contributions to improving agri-food systems in the UK and internationally, with
economic impact estimated to exceed £3 bn in annual contribution to the UK economy. Our strength lies in our systems approach, which combines strategic research,
interdisciplinary teams and multiple partnerships.
Rothamsted is home to three unique National Bioscience Research Infrastructures which are open to researchers from all over the world:
The Long-Term Experiments,
Rothamsted Insect Survey and the
North Wyke Farm Platform.
We are strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with additional support from other national and
international funding streams, and from industry. We are also supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust (LAT).
ABOUT BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid
from the UK government.
BBSRC invests to push back the frontiers of biology and deliver a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future. Through our investments, we build and support a vibrant,
dynamic and inclusive community which delivers ground-breaking discoveries and develops bio-based solutions that contribute to tackling global challenges,
such as sustainable food production, climate change, and healthy ageing.
As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we not only play a pivotal role in fostering connections that enable the UK’s world-class research and innovation system
to flourish – we also have a responsibility to enable the creation of a research culture that is diverse, resilient, and engaged.
BBSRC proudly forges interdisciplinary collaborations where excellent bioscience has a fundamental role. We pioneer approaches that enhance the equality, diversity,
and inclusion of talent by investing in people, infrastructure, technologies, and partnerships on a global scale.
ABOUT LAT
The Lawes Agricultural Trust, established in 1889 by Sir John Bennet Lawes, supports Rothamsted Research’s national and international agricultural science through the provision of land, facilities and funding. LAT, a charitable trust, owns the estates at Harpenden and Broom's Barn, including many of the buildings used by Rothamsted Research. LAT provides an annual research grant to the Director, accommodation for nearly 200 people, and support for fellowships for young scientists from developing countries. LAT also makes capital grants to help modernise facilities at Rothamsted, or invests in new buildings.