James Hallett has been named as the new chief executive of the British Growers Association, taking over from Martin Riggall who retires at the end of May.
Hallett has 20 years experience in the fresh produce industry, having worked for Bakkavor, Finlay’s Horticulture, Fresca Group and Total Produce. In addition Hallet runs a beef operation in Shropshire, producing Aberdeen Angus for Tesco’s Finest range. He will take up the post on 1 May.
Riggall will stay on as a consultant for the next two years. “I am delighted to be handing over to someone of James’s calibre,” he said. “His wide experience in the fresh produce industry will bring a new dimension to our already considerable skill set, and he is well equipped to lead British growers into an exciting and challenging future.”
The British Growers Association is the new name of the Processed Vegetable Growers Association (PVGA), which was formed in 1969. In addition to the name change last December, the association has also recently appointed business development executive Julia Hall-Jones and administrator Lucinda Skinner.
