Plant Impact appoints David Jones as its new chairman

Crop enhancement specialist Plant Impact said this morning it is appointing Dr David Jones as chairman to replace Martin Robinson, who is leaving after almost six years in the role.

Jones comes with a wealth of experience of the agricultural technology sector. From 2008 he was chairman of Arysta Life Sciences and has held senior positions at world leader Syngenta and before that Zeneca.

Chief executive Peter Blezard said: "I have known David for some time and appreciate his knowledge of the sector. 

"I am very pleased to welcome him as chairman. 

"With his wealth of business experience in world agriculture, I believe he will provide excellent leadership to the board and management and I look forward to working closely with him as we drive the business forward."

Plant Impact is an environmental technology business that is focused on developing what it describes as “low-input products” for sustainable agriculture.

The firm, which is based in Preston in the north-west of England, was founded eight years ago and floated on AIM in October 2006.

It sells, and is still developing, a range of products that are designed to significantly improve the health of crops in an environmentally-friendly way.

Jones today said: "Having watched the development of Plant Impact over the past several years, I have been impressed by their progress with an exciting portfolio of crop enhancement products. 

"I believe that Plant Impact is one of the very few companies that are applying fresh thought and novel science to this sector. 

"Any company that can meaningfully contribute to the crucial business of raising global crop yields in a sustainable manner will undoubtedly be rewarded in the market place. 

"I am delighted to be invited to lead the development of Plant Impact's science into what I consider will become an appreciable global business."