Two new leaders to help take the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) into the next era are being sought by the UK government.
A new chair is needed to head AHDB when Lincolnshire farmer John Godfrey reaches the end of his three-year term of office, at the end of March this year.
A second AHDB board member with specialist knowledge of the potato sector is additionally being sought, who will also chair the Potato Council sector board, which advises the levy board’s potato division. This follows the death of former board member David Piccaver, in late 2013.
These two vacancies, both ministerial appointments, are now being advertised by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the devolved administrations.
The new AHDB chair will be required to lead the organisation through a time of significant industry change, while continuing to drive and implement internal efficiencies.
With value for money continuing to be a strong AHDB theme, the new chair will have to demonstrate that levy payers are getting a good return on their investment in the drive to become more efficient, competitive and sustainable on a world stage.
A clear industry vision, influence and an ability to inspire are placed high on the person specification.
Meanwhile, as well as contributing to AHDB’s resilience and high performance across all its industry sectors, the new board member and chair of the Potato Council sector board will combine a similar passion for levy payer value with an in-depth understanding of the potato sector.
AHDB is a UK- wide non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra and primarily funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain through statutory levies.
Anyone wanting to apply and find out more about these roles, or to register their interest in future opportunities, should email Defra at: publicappts@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
The closing date for applications is 31 January 2014.
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