Doreen Spikings, chief operating and commercial officer at B-Hive Innovations, HarvestEye and RootExtracts

FRESH produce supply chain expert Doreen Spikings has been announced as chief operating and commercial officer to accelerate growth for three agri-tech commercial research and development businesses, B-Hive Innovations, HarvestEye and RootExtracts.

The move will expand commercial operations to deliver solutions for global food supply chains through science-based projects including AI, genetics, sustainability and valorisation.

Doreen brings more than 20 years of experience in the fresh produce sector, with expertise spanning, production, operations procurement, technical and commercial strategy. Her career journey began at field level harvesting gem lettuce, before progressing through various roles building her understanding of global supply chains, sourcing, and crop yield optimisation.

Doreen has joined following three years as commercial director at Irish fresh produce grower and distributor Keelings, prior to which she also held commercial director positions at potato supplier Greenvale and Greenyard, a global supplier of fresh, frozen and prepared fruit and vegetables.

Doreen said: "My career has taken me to many amazing countries, such as Kenya, South Africa, New Zealand, where I have gained a broader perspective on global food solutions, from supply chains to sourcing and crop yield optimisation. From my experience, I can see how and where research-based solutions to real-world challenges have the potential to be enormously transformative.

"Having more recently focused on the commercial aspects of the fresh produce industry, I believe I can help accelerate B-Hive, HarvestEye and RootExtracts growth portfolio, building on the fantastic work already achieved, and delivering solutions that offer tangible benefits for supply chains.

"Financial and environmental sustainability are two aspects that must be considered hand in hand when building global fresh produce solutions and I see this as a real growth opportunity for the business."

Vee Gururajan, CEO at B-Hive Innovations, HarvestEye and RootExtracts said: "Doreen's supply chain acumen adds the ideal requisite that we need to connect our solutions with commercial applications and globally accelerate growth through commercial R&D, IP creation and expand our portfolio of agricultural clients.

"Eight years since the inception of B-Hive, we continue to leverage research and innovation to solve problems for the future of food production that goes beyond our initial potato specialism, having expanded commercial offerings for more produce including strawberries, apples and onions, with exciting growth planned into new areas such as aquaculture.

"Crop insights system HarvestEye is growing globally and RootExtracts, which valorises potatoes into plant-based ingredients, is in the process of commercialisation. Doreen is well suited to aid this journey and build their respective commercial portfolios.

"Doreen is joining at a fantastic time, and we are excited at the rate of growth that is possible in 2025 and beyond."

For more information visit https://www.b-hiveinnovations.co.uk/.