Gerard Croft (BPTA Past President 2010-2012) was instrumental in the merger of NASPM and SPTA to form BPTA in 2006. A Council member of NASPM since his co-option in 1998 during which time he sat on and latterly chaired the Seed Regulations Committee, a role that was continued for BPTA. He now chairs the Legal & Arbitration Committee.
He started in the Seed Potato business in 1982 working for Pattullo Higgs as a trainee sales person. Now a seed manager for Greenvale AP, who purchased Pattullo Higgs in 1997.
His significant Presidency achievements include the 2012 rewrite of BPTA Conditions for the Purchase & Sale of Seed Potatoes – which involved intense negotiations with NFU and NFU Mutual and the rewrite of our Arbitration Rules.
Gerard has 4 children and devotes much of his spare time to working with youngsters as an active member of the Scout movement.
The bulk of the tonnage of seed potatoes traded in Great Britain for both the home and export markets is handled by the 120 members of the new Association. This gives the Association greater negotiating power on behalf of its members.