The Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has appointed Richard Harrison as the Managing Director of the Plant Sciences Group (PSG) as of 1 September 2022. He succeeds Ernst van den Ende who is now managing director of the Animal Sciences Group. Harrison is currently Director of NIAB Cambridge Crop Research.
The Executive Board is delighted that Richard Harrison will take on the position of Managing Director. Announcing Harrison’s appointment president of the executive board of WUR Louise O. Fresco said: “Richard Harrison’s international profile will be a great asset to WUR. We expect him to give a strong impetus to and the further development of our plant sciences, value creation and education strategies. Plant production is central to the momentous challenges to feed the growing world population, mitigating climate change, ensuring the careful management, use, and protection of soils, nature and the environment.”
Richard Harrison currently leads NIAB’s research work in arable crops, and NIAB’s contribution to the Crop Science Centre, an alliance between the University of Cambridge and NIAB.
Richard Harrison said: “This is a great opportunity, and a privilege, to join a world-renowned centre for discovery and innovation and to lead the Plant Sciences Group. Current global challenges call for new ways working in order to develop an environmentally and economically sustainable food system. I am looking forward to contributing to the delivery of this challenge, building on the outstanding research and delivery capabilities in Wageningen and across the Dutch research and commercial landscape.”
Louise O. Fresco: “WUR has a leading role in combining fundamental knowledge and practical expertise in plant sciences. Our work in genetics, plant protection, physiology and photosynthesis is groundbreaking. This offers new perspectives for sustainable, climate smart agriculture to our partners from industry, governments, NGOs, research institutes and universities both in The Netherlands and internationally. With Richard Harrison, as our new Managing Director of the Plant Sciences Group, WUR will further extend this work with new energy.”
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Source: Wageningen University & Research (WUR)
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