After nearly 15 years with Agrovista and a total of 40 years in the horticulture sector, Agrovista’s head of horticulture Mike Bannister has brought his career to a close.
Joe Shepherdson, who joined Agrovista in July 2024 as glasshouse team manager, will take on Mike’s role.
Mike joined the company to develop a new specialist glasshouse cropping division. Building on his extensive experience in glasshouse and salad production, he played a key role in establishing Agrovista as market leader in the sector.
“I joined Agrovista in February 2011 along with colleague, Roger Beard and we hit the ground running,” Mike recalls. “We took £45,000 of business on our first day, which I remember, turned a few heads in management!
“From that day, we’ve never looked back as we continued to build and develop the business year on year.”
The protected salad crop industry has seen some significant changes in the last decade with the building of major new glasshouse projects and the demise of the much smaller, more traditional glasshouse businesses. But the team continued to drive the business forward in that time, establishing Agrovista as the premier distributor in this sector.
“I can confidently say that we deal with 100% of the growers in our sector, most having Agrovista as their main or sole supplier,” says Mike.
“Thanks must go to my team colleagues, Roger Beard, Des Dalton and latterly Joe Shepherdson for their conscientious hard work and dedication during my tenure. They have all been integral to the team’s success.
“I also want to add sincere thanks to the procurement team, logistics and depot staff, as well as the administrative departments, who have all helped in making Agrovista Glasshouse the success it is today.”
Looking ahead, Mike said Joe had brought a wealth of knowledge experience and a fresh approach to the team. He added: “Joe is forward thinking, relishes a challenge and makes the most of opportunities, which will stand him in good stead to take the business forward.”
Mike intends to keep busy once he retires. “I plan to explore more of this beautiful country as well as see more of the world we live in,” he says. “My wife and I have a couple of cruises booked in the next year which we are both looking forward to.
“I also intend to immerse myself in my passion of Formula 1 and already have tickets to see the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix!”
Mike Bannister
Joe Shepherdson
Joe brought eight years of experience in glasshouse horticulture sales and a further six years working for a vegetable breeder when he joined Agrovista in July 2024.
He has worked alongside Mike since then, resulting in a seamless transition into his new role over the past few months.
He was recruited to help build on Agrovista’s market leading position whilst meeting the needs of an evolving and expanding customer base, so is well prepared to take on his new challenge.
Paying tribute to Mike, Joe said: "When joining Agrovista, many described Mike as the ‘backroom’ of the Agrovista Glasshouse team. However, having spent the past 18 months working alongside him, I feel it better to describe Mike as the ‘engine room’ of the team.
“Needless to say, he is held in high regard by grower customers and partner businesses across the sector. Nothing happens without Mike’s input and his commitment to ensuring the industry is best served is unfathomable.
“It is a huge honour of mine to pick up where he has left off. I and the team will look to build on Mike’s many achievements over the past 15 years and I am sure our market leading position will continue for the years to come.”