Consumer expert and horticultural researcher Dr Richard Gianfrancesco has been appointed growing media product manager by William Sinclair Horticulture.
Previously a UK and global business manager for environmental consultancy Thomson Ecology, Dr Gianfrancesco is best known for his earlier work for consumer champion Which?, where he spent 12 years (2001-2013) in senior positions including a five-year stint as head of research for 'Which? Gardening' and most recently as head of science, statistics and social research across the entire Which? organisation.

An ecology graduate from the University of Sheffield, Dr Gianfrancesco went on to obtain a PhD in plant and soil science.

In his new role, Dr Gianfrancesco has responsibility for implementing product innovation within the company's range of growing media, which includes the J Arthur Bower's, Growing Success and New Horizon brands.

He will work closely with Sinclair's two technical managers, Paul Smith and Andrea Marshall, using the company's new trial grounds to develop and assess new formulations.