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 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.”
“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.”