Nigel Bartle, TGA Chair has announced that after seven years in the role he will step down in Spring this year. “It has been a great pleasure and a privilege to chair the association, but as I move to look at other crops, I think it is more appropriate that someone actively growing a major commercial area of tomatoes chairs the association", Nigel Bartle said.
"I feel the association is in good shape, last year we won the Grower of the Year award for our marketing campaign for British Tomato Week and had a hugely successful conference in our new venue at Stoneleigh.
With a vibrant technical committee, a well followed newsletter and a representative membership the association has huge potential and the time is right for someone new at the helm.”
Following 20 years growing tomatoes working in both Spain and the UK developing the award winning Cornerways Nursery for British Sugar, Nigel has looked to pursue other horticultural interests looking at experimental crops in East Yorkshire.
“I will always have a passion and connection with tomatoes” commented Nigel, “however I equally have as much enthusiasm for ensuring we have a long term UK glasshouse industry in its broadest sense and the possibility to look at other crops was just too good an opportunity to miss.”
Nigel will still maintain links with the edibles sector through the board of Stockbridge Technology Centre who of course are members of the TGA itself and where there is a major project on tomatoes currently in progress.
Nigel continues to chair the TGA until a successor is appointed.