04/09/2026
People spotlight: Blythe Soper, trials co-ordinator
What does it take to get a new variety to market? Meet the BSPB team member helping guide varieties through VCU trials – and discover what makes the job so rewarding.
Q. What is your role at BSPB?
“I co-ordinate VCU trials for new varieties as they move through the process towards being added to the Variety List and ultimately reaching the market. It’s a really varied role – one day I might be putting together sowing lists for upcoming trials, the next I could be gathering trial updates, attending workshops or representing BSPB at industry events. No two days are quite the same”.
Q. How did you come into this role?
“I studied Biochemistry before completing a research Master’s in Seed Biology at Royal Holloway University. I then spent four years at Niab as a seed analyst, working with certified, export and licensed seed samples to make sure they met the quality standards required for market. After completing my training, I joined BSPB nearly two years ago”.
Q. What made you pursue this career?
“My interest really developed during my Master’s, when I was researching physiological dormancy in carrot and parsnip seed and looking at why germination rates can vary in commercial growing situations.
I’ve always been interested in how we can develop better crop varieties to support food security. At BSPB, I now get to be part of that journey – helping new varieties progress towards the market and seeing how plant breeding can respond to a changing climate”.
Q. What inspires you?
“I always find the Cereals Event inspiring because it brings farmers and breeders together, alongside crop plots and some interesting discussions.
One of the most satisfying things is seeing varieties you remember from the very early stages of testing reach the point where they are ready for market. Harvest is rewarding too – seeing a trial site come successfully through the season makes all the work behind it feel worthwhile”.
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