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The STC was launched in April 2001 to ensure continued technological developments for the horticultural industry. This grower-led initiative has created an independent horticultural centre of excellence supported by both the production and supply sectors of the industry.
In order to preserve the independence of STC and ensure the facilities and business are retained in the industry, a two tier structure of companies has been constructed.
STC Research Foundation is a company limited by guarantee and is also a registered educational charity. The Directors, who are the guarantors, are leaders of the industry drawn from both grower and academic aspects. They are; Mr Peter Branfield, Mr Michael Eustace, Prof. Carlo Leifert, Mr John Molyneux, Mr John Richardson, Mr Neil Bragg and Mr Roger Sayer. This company cannot distribute profit and must reinvest any surplus into its own, or the STC Ltd business. STC Research Foundation owns the shares of STC Ltd, thus also controls any distributions from this subsidiary company. STC Research is an eligible body for research and educational business activities, enabling simpler collaborative interchanges with the Government and its bodies as well as Universities. We use this company in our relationships with DEFRA and the Horticultural Development Council for example.
Stockbridge Technology Centre Ltd (STC) is a company limited by shares. This company carries out all our commercial work and is responsible for administration and operation of the Stockbridge House site. The Directors are Mr Roger Sayer and Mr Graham Ward (who is also Company Secretary). All our work for the commercial clients is carried out by this company. All staff operating the STC business are employed and as with the Directors, no shares are owned except by STC Research Foundation.
The Group is thus fully committed to serving the industry from which it gains its business and expertise, and is truly by ethos and structure, a not for profit business.
Day to day operation is managed by Mr Julian Davies and Dr Martin McPherson on the scientific side and by Mr Michael Langdale on the crops and farming side. Graham Ward acts as part time Chief Executive. We have a number of skilled scientific managers responsible for project management and experienced growing staff to tend the crops, grown for our scientific and educational work.
The STC Group purchased the Stockbridge House site at Cawood, Yorkshire, in spring 2002. The farm has been used by DEFRA and MAFF for over fifty years as a centre for horticultural research and technology.
The farm is laid out for trial work and there is well planned access for visitors and demonstrations. The glasshouses are compartmentalised to facilitate replicate trial work .The STC Group were also able to recruit many of the experienced staff both scientific and operational, who have been at Stockbridge House for many years. Over recent years, we have been recruiting new staff as demanded by the expanding business.
For more information contact:
Stockbridge Technology Centre Ltd Cawood, Selby, North YorkshireYO8 3TZ
Tel: +44(0)1757 268275 Fax: +44(0)1757 268996
Email:enquiries@stc-nyorks.co.uk
Company Number: 4175440
Date of Incorporation: 8th March 2001
Location: Companies House, Cardiff
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