HND Commercial Horticulture
Jamie is now co-owner of Global Plant Genetics Ltd. He currently spends most of his time working with produce businesses, growers and nurseries across the globe, helping them to develop their organisations through the use of improved plant genetics in asparagus and berries.
Jamie Petchell - Co-Owner and Director, Global Plant Genetics Ltd
Jamie Petchell graduated from Hadlow College with a HND in Commercial Horticulture in 1997. He is now co-owner of Global Plant Genetics Ltd, a company specialising in variety solutions in berries and asparagus for international growers, produce businesses and nurseries. In addition, he is a co-owner of Innovation Profits Ltd, an organisation that specialises in helping UK food and horticultural businesses claim R&D tax credits and submitting Patent Box claims.
He started out his career at Hargreaves Plants, working in the berry plant nurseries, and rapidly rose to become Commercial Director of the company at the age of 32. He oversaw the commercial growth of the plant propagation business from a UK enterprise to one that was recognised globally in plant supply and Intellectual Property Management.
Jamie is well regarded around the world for his in-depth knowledge of the asparagus crop, particularly in terms of varietal development and choice of plant material. He commissioned what were thought to be the largest asparagus hybrid trials in the world in 2004 and took these from pure testing to the selection of at least three new commercial hybrids from different breeding stations. The most important of these varieties are Guelph Millennium from Canada and Pacific Green from New Zealand. They are now grown on all six the world’s growing continents.
He currently spends most of his time working with produce businesses, growers and nurseries across the globe, helping them to develop their organisations through the use of improved plant genetics in asparagus and berries. The crops he works in are increasing in global consumption based on a range of factors, including the health benefits that they deliver. It is crucial to stay at the forefront of developments in new varieties and Jamie’s company focuses on this unique point.
Jamie feels it is vital to invest in the students of today. To this end, Global Plant Genetics is working on collaborative projects with Hadlow College, the first of which are agronomic tests on new asparagus hybrids. The trial will be run by students from Hadlow and will look at optimum planting densities of asparagus varieties bred in Canada. This work provides valuable opportunities for students to undertake relevant applied research and network with industry. Future projects will include development work in blueberries.
Jamie will spend the next three years continuing to travel the globe (he averages 50 flights a year) and working with his clients to further develop the improved asparagus and berry varieties his company is bringing to the market.