16/10/2026

Words From BSPB’s New CEO: Helen Fasham

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“I am delighted to be joining BSPB at a critical juncture for the plant breeding and seed industries. The ability to develop better varieties lies at the heart of tackling many of the challenges facing farming and horticulture, from productivity and competitiveness to resilience and environmental sustainability. Ensuring we have a thriving, innovative plant breeding sector in the UK matters, and BSPB plays a unique role in supporting this: in championing plant breeding’s role as the very foundation of the food chain, and helping plant breeding businesses continue to invest, innovate and succeed.

“Before joining BSPB, I spent many years working at Defra; including recently as Head of the Plant Varieties and Seeds team, overseeing plant variety rights and seed certification policy. Before that, I also undertook a 3 ½ year secondment to the European Commission. I’ve seen from the inside how UK government and the EU approaches difficult policy choices, how evidence influences decisions, and, importantly, what enables an industry to make its voice heard effectively. That experience will help me ensure our industry’s voice is heard and understood. I am also looking forward to collaborating across the whole agricultural sector, to ensure that the importance of plant breeding is recognised and understood.

“I also know that I have plenty to learn. My ambition is to get to know BSPB’s members properly, so I plan to get out and about over the coming months. I’m looking forward to hearing what matters to you, where the opportunities and frustrations lie, and what you need from BSPB.

“It’s a privilege to take on this role. I’ve already received a very warm welcome, including at our AGM only 4 days into the role. I’m enormously looking forward to working with you all”.

 – Helen Fasham, CEO

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