Martin Emmett, a Director of Walberton Nursery, was recently named one of three new Board members at the Horticultural Development Company (HDC). Martin has a strong background in Horticulture having studied it at Reading University before going on to be an ADAS adviser and lecturer in protected crops and plant science. Martin is clearly passionate about all things Horticulture, as is demonstrated by his present engagements in the industry: currently a visiting lecturer at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; a director of both Walberton and Binsted nurseries in West Sussex; running a horticultural training consultancy; member of both the HTA technical and Horticulture LINK programme committees.

Martin believes this is an exciting time for the industry and would like to see the HDC take a more international perspective in sharing expertise, help raise the profile of the ornamentals sector and see the HDC’s outputs become more broadly applicable. Needless to say Martin is delighted with this new appointment and we look forward to benefitting from his involvement at the HDC.