Rob Saunders

Rob is an agronomist at H. L. Hutchinsons Ltd, providing crop protection consultancy and best practice support to fruit and hop growers.  Rob has specialised in fruit agronomy for over 25 years, including 14 years with GlaxoSmithKline, primarily looking after Blackcurrants for Ribena.

Rob has a particular interest in crop research and the challenge of finding ways to improve the efficiency of resource utilisation – producing more while using less.  He has led Innovate UK projects relating to perennial crops and release from dormancy following inadequate winter chill, and also precision spraying, treating apple trees as individuals.  He is currently involved in the Innovative Farmers ‘Hop Soils Project’, and looks after HELIOS – the Hutchinsons Enhanced Light Interception Orchard System.

In 2016 he received the Fruit Culture Award for Communication and Technology Transfer from the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers.

Rob lives in West Kent with his wife and two children.