A Gloucestershire business innovation centre has a new manager.

Verity Payne (pictured) has been appointed at Farm491, the agritech innovation and incubation centre in Cirencester.

She has already been involved in the enterprise hub for almost two years as centre coordinator, developing relationships with the hub's growing number of members.

The Farm491 enterprise is made up of three innovation sites to enable business growth.

This includes the Trent Lodge office spaces where start-ups, individuals or established businesses can occupy working space to base a business, the Harnhill workshops on Manor Farm which include large areas for members to trial and test ideas with access to farmland for research and the soon to open this Summer - £4.2m 'New Campus Building' project.

This will be home to a hive of activity including additional space and working areas for agritech businesses as well as the Cirencester growth Hub.

As centre and events manager, Verity will be responsible for the smooth operating of all three sites as well as managing the recently launched Inspiring AgriTech Innovation (IAI) initiative by supporting applicants through the qualification process.

IAI is a free to attend programme, part financed by GFirst LEP and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to provide business support to agritech innovators, start-ups and existing entrepreneurs. Verity will also oversee the building of external partnerships for Farm491, as well as planning and attending events to promote both the hub and the IAI programme.

Verity will be line manager to the new centre coordinator and will be working alongside programme manager, Ali Hadavizadeh. She will also work closely with the soon to be appointed research commercialisation specialists and outreach officer.

"I am absolutely thrilled with the opportunity to progress my career at Farm491" said Verity. "As a previous Royal Agricultural University student, I have great fondness towards the University and its values in curating business innovation and growth.

As centre & events manager I will be exposed to a range of stimulating business propositions that will all add value to the agritech sector. We have a busy year ahead - with the recent launch of IAI and the opening of the new building this Summer, the potential that Farm491 has in shaping technological innovation for food and farming is incredible and I am so happy to be a part of the journey."

Ali Hadavizadeh, Farm491 programme manager, said: "Verity is a dedicated, hardworking and extremely personable member of our team and a vital support to our members. Her new position will be challenging but rewarding - and we know that she has the confidence and ability to succeed with abundance."