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Plant Impact Plc appointed three R&D leaders

UK-based Plant Impact Plc recently announced another step in its growth strategy with the recruitment of three senior research and development leaders: Bruce Luzzi, Andy Fowles and Adam Hajjar. These arrivals bring over 70 years of combined experience in key roles with multinational agri-technology leaders in the seed, agrochemical and biologicals industries. All three individuals will be based at the company’s head office and research facility at the Rothamsted Centre for Research and Enterprise.

Dr. Bruce Luzzi, R&D Programme Manager, Soybeans

Bruce is a soybean specialist. He received his BSc degree at the University of Illinois and MSc and PhD at the University of Georgia before joining the University of Guelph as an Assistant Professor in oilseed breeding. While based in the USA, he held soybean development positions with Monsanto and Pioneer, then a cotton positon with Stoneville Pedigreed Seed Company, and a position with BASF Plant Science where he led a significant global trial programme focused on soybean, oilseed rape, and rice research. Bruce joins Plant Impact from Syngenta, where he was Soybean Seeds Project Manager.

Dr Andy Fowles, Global Formulation Manager

Andy has carved out an impressive career within formulation chemistry, analysis and packaging. He completed his PhD in Plant Hormone Chemistry and Bioactivity at Bristol University, in the UK. During a long and varied career with Dow Agrosciences, he has been located in the UK, South Africa and France. As European Trade Area Leader for Formulations, Analytical & Packaging, he also became a member of Dow AgroSciences’ Global Cereal & Broad-leaf Crop Business Line Management Team before joining Plant Impact back in the UK as Global Formulation Manager.

Dr Adam Hajjar, Portfolio Innovation Manager

Adam holds both a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Aberdeen and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Kent. His career to date has included several roles involving technology strategy and acquisition, technology transfer and Intellectual Property management. Adam returns to Rothamsted after working for the biofertilizers and biopesticides company MicroBio as well as technology transfer company, Plant Bioscience Ltd, the consumer diagnostic company, Swiss Precision Diagnostics and with several leading London-based universities. He will be responsible for leading Plant Impact’s technology and innovation strategy as well as its Intellectual Property management activities.

Dr Steve Adams, R&D Director, Plant Impact, commented: ‘We are continuously looking for unique and experienced individuals to expand the capability of our R&D team and crop research programmes. Bruce, Andy and Adam will be invaluable to Plant Impact’s development and will support our goal of driving forward innovation in crop enhancement while continuing our commitment to robust testing and research standards.’