 |
 |
|
|
News Releases New President and Chairman for BCPC 7 October 2002 On Thursday 3 October 2002 at their Annual General Meeting held in London, BCPC elected a new President and Chairman. Mr Hugh Oliver-Bellasis takes over as President from Sir David Naish, whilst Dr Barry Thomas becomes Chairman, replacing Dr Peter Bunyan. Mr Hugh Oliver-Bellasis FRAgS is a well-known figure in the farming world, particularly for his involvement researching and implementing environmentally sensitive farming methods using agrochemicals. Until 2000, Mr Oliver-Bellasis held various national posts with the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and is now Chairman of the e-communications organisation - Rural Business Network. Mr Oliver-Bellasis is involved in a successful farm in Hampshire and has a wide range of interests including motor racing, photography, food, wine and all countryside matters. Completing his education at Winchester College, Mr Oliver-Bellasis went to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst followed by service around the world until 1977. In 1979 he returned to Manydown, the family farming company, which pioneered Integrated Crop Management (ICM). Located in North Hampshire, the farm extends to 1,270 hectares in-hand plus three tenanted farms with a variety of crops, beef cattle, sheep and poultry which are retailed through their own farm butcher's shop. There is also an area of ancient semi-natural woodland. He is Trustee of the RASE and Vice Chairman of The Game Conservancy Trust where he was involved with their innovative work of integrating and sensitively managing crop protection products. Away from agriculture, he was involved in setting up the Duma Racing - International Racing F3 team. He is married to Daphne and has two children. Commenting on his appointment, Mr Oliver-Bellasis said, "there is a critical need for teamwork to rebuild the understanding and confidence in crop protection for the growing of quality products required by today's consumer. BCPC is in a key position to work with others to achieve this objective." |
|
Following a period with the UK Pesticide Regulatory Authority where he became the Technical Secretary of the UK Government's Advisory Committee on Pesticides, Dr Thomas joined FBC Limited in 1981 as Director of International Regulatory Affairs. His responsibilities broadened through the company changes from FBC to Schering AG, AgrEvo and finally to Aventis CropScience, where he was responsible for Corporate Public and Government Affairs. With the acquisition of Aventis CropScience by Bayer, Dr Thomas retired, so giving him more time to pursue his BCPC involvement and his hobbies of golf and gardening. Dr Thomas has been actively involved with international regulatory bodies and has acted as consultant to the EU's Economic and Social Committee and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. He has chaired a range of committees of various associations and has recently been a member of the Private Sector Committee of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the Design Advisory Committee of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF). Commenting on his appointment, Dr Thomas
said, "there is little doubt that BCPC faces significant challenges
if it is to realise its future objectives. I am confident, however,
that its long history of providing a major forum for informed debate
on key issues linked with its unique blend and depth of scientific
expertise, coupled with the proposed organisational reform, will prove
equal to these challenges." For further information contact: |
 |
|
