10/09/2026
Plant Heritage is delighted to announce the appointment of two new trustees, Professor Nicola Spence CBE and Jacob James.
Nicola is a botanist, plant pathologist and an expert in plant health and international plant trade. She has been the UK Chief Plant Health Officer at Defra, a role that saw her advise ministers, the industry and the public about the risks posed by plant pests and diseases, and how to manage potential disease outbreaks. Prior to this she researched virus diseases of horticultural crops for over 20 years.
She is a former President of the British Society for Plant Pathology, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, and a Trustee of The Royal Horticultural Society and the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust. She was awarded a CBE for Services to Plant Health in 2022.
Jacob is the founder and CEO of GrowTropicals, the UK's largest rare and unusual houseplant based in Yorkshire. The company has been awarded two Gold medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a Best in Show for the Indoor Plant Gardens at the Malvern Spring show and seven other RHS medals. Jacob is also a member of the RHS Tender Ornamental Expert Group and Treasurer for the European Aroid Society. He brings much experience of running a successful commercial business and a wealth of digital skills to the Board.
