Chief Executive Officer
Location: Thornhaugh, near Peterborough
Package: Competitive Salary & Benefits
The Organisation
The Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) is the UK’s dedicated centre of expertise for pulses and vegetable legumes. Established on a voluntary industry levy and sustained by it for three-quarters of a century, it is an independent research charity: financially secure and scientifically respected across the world. From its base at Thornhaugh, near Peterborough, PGRO provides applied research, trials, laboratory services and agronomic advice to growers, processors and the wider supply chain.
With an expert and stable research team, trusted trials and laboratory services, and prized independence, PGRO is well funded and carefully managed. Following the retirement of its long-serving Chief Executive, the organisation is now seeking a successor to lead its next phase of development.
The Role
As the public face of PGRO, the Chief Executive will lead the organisation across the full breadth of its activities and represent its technical capability to an experienced audience. Working with a high degree of autonomy, supported by a widely represented Board of Trustees, the CEO will set the direction, oversee delivery of the research and commercial programmes, and maintain sound financial control.
A central objective is to grow and diversify income while safeguarding the voluntary levy through high-quality research. Priorities include raising the organisation’s profile, extending its reach within the farming community, translating research into practical adoption at farm level, and strengthening its connection to the wider food, protein and policy agenda. This is an opportunity to build on a strong foundation and shape the future of UK pulse production.
The Candidate
We are seeking a commercially minded leader and an effective advocate for the pulse sector, with a good appreciation of the technical role of PGRO. Candidates will bring a commercial, marketing or general-management background from agriculture, agri-food, seed, crop protection or a comparable organisation, with sufficient scientific understanding to lead a specialist research body. Credibility with growers, agronomists, processors and traders is essential; direct farming experience is welcome but not essential. The successful candidate will combine sound commercial and financial judgement with strong communication and advocacy skills, the stature to raise PGRO’s standing with industry and government, and the collaborative leadership to develop and retain an expert team.
For further information, please contact Hazel Noble at Eden on info@edensearch.co.uk or 020 3795 7735. All applications and enquiries will be forwarded to Eden, who are exclusively retained by PGRO on this project.