Richard Taylor Joins Niab Board Following 36-Year Agritech Career

Richard Taylor has joined the Board of the UK crop organisation Niab.

Mr Taylor, a graduate from UEA and a UK chartered accountant, recently retired after a 36-year career in agritech with Syngenta in the UK and Switzerland. His many roles included

Finance Controller for Syngenta Seeds as well as Head of Finance for Syngenta Crop Protection. In addition Mr Taylor has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, risk management, corporate governance and treasury experience.

Richard was also on the Board, and was Investment Committee Chair, of the Syngenta UK Pension Fund. His final role before retirement was as advisor to the Group CFO.

Niab Board Chair Dr David Buckeridge said: “Richard will be a superb asset to Niab as a member of our Board, providing experience and advice as we actively work to streamline Niab’s governance, secure sustainable funding, and strengthen industry partnerships in an increasingly turbulent and challenging marketplace.

"With a sharper commercial focus, Niab is aiming to be the innovation engine of UK agriculture - capturing more value from research, attracting greater investment, and cementing its leadership in translating plant science into practice.”

Mr Taylor said: “I feel both honoured and excited to have been invited to join the Niab Board at this challenging time for UK agriculture. Niab has a critical role to play in the development of technology into on farm solutions for farmers and growers and I am looking forward to being involved in the next steps in Niab’s vision.”

Based in Cambridge and East Malling, Kent, with field stations throughout England, Niab employs more than 400 staff and provides research findings, scientific services and technical advice to a diverse customer base that includes Government departments, research councils, levy bodies, farmers, charitable trusts and the agri-food industry.