The BSPB Board of Directors

Jonathan Tann - Chairman

Business Area Director at Limagrain UK

Jonathan is Business Area Director at Limagrain UK. His role spans the full seed supply chain, where he works closely with the seed trade to produce and supply high-quality seed, overseeing the testing of new varieties on farm, and ensuring that innovation reaches growers effectively. He is responsible for managing a sustainable and profitable business that can continue to invest in future plant breeding and agricultural innovation, while developing and supporting high-performing teams.

Jonathan joined BSPB’s Board in 2021, becoming Chair of the Board in 2026. He is passionate about the vital role plant breeding plays in improving productivity, sustainability and resilience within UK agriculture.

Outside of work, Jonathan is a passionate rugby supporter. He also enjoys travelling, cycling, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Sarah Iveson - Vice Chair

Managing Director of Syngenta UK

Sarah is a senior agribusiness leader with 20 years’ experience at Syngenta across research, strategy and commercial leadership roles in the UK and Switzerland. She is currently Managing Director for UK business and Commercial Head for North-West Europe at Syngenta, leading Crop Protection and Seeds business across the UK, Nordics and Benelux and working closely with growers, customers and industry partners to deliver innovations that sustainably improve crop productivity.

She is a strong advocate for advancing agricultural innovation and increasing the representation of women in STEM. She is also a board member of CropLife UK.

Outside of Syngenta and BSPB, Sarah enjoys travelling, learning about different cultures and discovering new cuisines as a keen “foodie”. She is also a proud mother of a 3-year-old son.

Douglas Harley

Managing Director at Alexander Harley Seeds

Doug’s aim is to use genetic improvement to make UK agriculture more competitive and sustainable. It’s a long-term project but one he get great satisfaction from.

Mark Dodds

Wheat Breeder at KWS

Mark has over 25 years of experience in the seeds industry as wheat breeder at KWS. During that time UK farming has evolved and with that plant breeders have needed to produce varieties that are suitable for todays farming to consistently meet farmers needs.

Responding to changes in chemistry, environment and policy continues to be essential so that farmers have the varieties needed to meet those demands and maximise returns.

Mark joined the BSPB board at the start of 2024 bringing my experience of breeding, crop groups and interactions with the AHDB recommended lists.

Mark Buckingham

Head of Policy at Bayer

Roger Keeling

Chairman at Elsoms

Roger Keeling is the Charman of Elsoms, an independent group of specialist businesses who focus on shaping the future of agriculture by unlocking the power of plants.

Roger joined the BSPB board in December 2025 because he believes that plant breeding companies need to work together to promote how vital their work is to creating a sustainable future and ensure that the future of breeding is secured through the work of BSPB.

Outside of work, Roger enjoys sailing with his kids, walking in Scotland, visiting exhibitions, classing cars and much much more.

Tom Yewbrey

Managing Director at NPZ

Tom is Managing Director of NPZ UK Plant Breeding Ltd, where he leads the day-to-day running of the business while shaping its longer-term strategy and growth.

He joined the BSPB board in October 2026 because of the organisation’s unique reach across the plant breeding industry. He is keen to ensure the BSPB maximises the return to members for their investment in IP and to promote the UK as a leader in plant breeding innovation.

Away from work, Tom enjoys spending time with his wife and two young sons. Cricket, playing as well as watching, and running and cycling.

Helen Wilson

Managing Director at RAGT UK

Helen joined RAGT UK in 2013 as Product Development Specialist, before being appointed Head of Forage Crops in 2016, covering the UK and Nordic and Baltic regions. Following this Helen spent three years working for RAGT Group’s New Markets team as Business Leader for Asia and Oceania, successfully integrating New Zealand and Australian subsidiaries into the group and exploring new opportunities in Southeast Asia, before returning to the UK team as Managing Director of RAGT UK in November 2024.

She views BSPB as an essential organisation for promoting and protecting the interests of UK plant breeders, joining the board to help support this work.