New president for plant conservation charity
28 April 2010
TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh VMH is the new president of the plant conservation charity Plant Heritage.
His popularity with the public, built up during a long career in television programmes and books, made Alan a high-profile choice for the job.
'Alan has an extraordinary ability to reach out to people from all walks of life and share wth them his passion for plants and gardens,' said Professor Michael Alder, chairman of Plant Heritage.
Alan's appointment follows the death of the previous President, Robin Compton VMH last year after more than 20 years leading the charity. Alan, who is also an RHS Vice President, said he was 'delighted' to take up a role which he said came at an exciting moment for gardening.
'Plant Heritage is all about making sure that the amazing range of cultivated plants that gardeners have developed over generations will still be widely available, not only to enrich our gardens today but as the breeding stock for varieties suited to tomorrow's needs in a fast-changing world,' he said.