One of the key appointments in Britain’s agricultural science sector has been confirmed by the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI).

Professor Peter Gregory, currently Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise at the University of Reading, will become Director of SCRI when Professor John Hillman retires next April.

Professor Gregory’s appointment comes at a crucial time for agricultural, biological and environmental research in Scotland, as the Scottish Executive’s Environment and Rural Affairs Department prepares to publish its new research strategy this autumn.

With a staff of 350 and an annual budget of almost £15 million, SCRI is the cornerstone of crop research in Scotland, and has developed collaborative research links with over 300 institutions in 54 countries.

Professor Gregory said:  “I am greatly honoured to be appointed to take forward the achievements of John Hillman and his team.  SCRI is facing new challenges offering significant research opportunities, and is well equipped to tackle them thanks to the core strengths and international networks that it has built up over many years.

“SCRI is the bridge between rural production and urban well-being.  It has an unrivalled track record in delivering fruit, cereal, potato and other plant products that are of direct benefit to the UK economy and for human health and well-being. 

“The Institute has steadily broadened its focus from scientific excellence in agricultural and plant science research to embrace the wider implications of its work for the environment, the economy and society at large. 

“SCRI also has a central role in advancing closer working and collaboration with other research institutes and universities, as well as with the private sector throughout Scotland and beyond.

“I am excited about taking over the reins at this very interesting point in SCRI’s history, and further developing the innovative spirit and collaborative commitment that are evident in all the Institute’s work.”

Peter Gregory has been Professor of Soil Science at Reading University since 1994, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor since 1998.  His responsibilities have covered research and enterprise activities.  Since 1995, he has led international research projects to determine the impact of climate change on agriculture and soils, and he is currently the leader of Global Environmental Change and Food Systems, a programme focussing on human food security.

He has degrees in soil science from the universities of Reading (BSc 1972) and Nottingham (PhD 1977), and joined Reading as a lecturer in 1980, becoming Reader in Soil Science in 1988.  Between 1988 and 1993 he worked as a research scientist for CSIRO in Perth, Western Australia, returning to Reading as Head of the Department of Soil Science from 1994 to 1996, and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food from 1996 to 1998.  He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society of England this year for his outstanding contributions to agricultural research.

His research interests are in the interaction of plant roots with soil and the production of food crops.  These interests have allowed him to work for extended periods in Australia, Syria, India, Nepal and West Africa.

Professor Bernard King, chairman of SCRI, commented:  “This is a crucial appointment, not just for SCRI but for agricultural and environmental science in Scotland and the UK as a whole.  I am delighted that Peter has accepted the post. 

“He will bring to SCRI a unique blend of hands-on research experience coupled with international management expertise in environmental research.  He also has institutional management experience of a high order that will contribute greatly to the debate on the future development of Scotland’s agricultural and biological research institutions.  These will be ideal qualities to guide the Institute through the challenging times ahead.”