The James Hutton Institute is delighted to announce that Professor Tim George has been appointed as the new director of the International Barley Hub, replacing Professor Robbie Waugh who will be stepping down on April 1, 2025.
Professor George is a plant physiologist and soil scientist with more than 25 years’ experience of specialising in the dynamics of nutrients in the rhizosphere – the zone of chemical, biological and physical influence generated by root growth.
He has a distinguished track record in leading teams of scientists in projects funded by the European Union and UK Research and Innovation and is the current vice President of the European Plan Sciences Organisation and the President of the International Society of Root Research.
Speaking of his appointment, Prof George said: “I’m grateful to get the opportunity to build on the strong foundations laid by Robbie as outgoing director of the IBH and am particularly excited to take on the challenge ahead. I am particularly looking forward to working with the team to make the IBH a great success.”
Professor George will lead the IBH in delivering a dynamic research and industry engagement programme through the application of fundamental, translational and applied research via a research programme that is co-constructed with industry.
Professor Waugh said: “I am sure that Tim’s expertise and experience will prove invaluable in his new role as Director of the IBH.
“Barley is Scotland’s most important, and the UK’s second most important, crop. All those working in the barley industry need scientific solutions to build its resilience and adaptation in the face of the current climate and nature crises. The cutting-edge science provided by the IBH has a major role to play in futureproofing this sector that is so vital to our economy.”
George Lawrie, chair of the IBH, said, “Professor Tim George brings a whole new skill set that will help move the IBH to the next level. He has a proven track record for identifying and securing funding within the UK and further afield and this is what is required in these challenging times. I look forward to working with him and the rest of the IBH team.”