The NFU has announced that the current vice-president of corporate affairs at Coca Cola Enterprises Erika Coghlan is to become its new director of communications from January 2011.

NFU director general Kevin Roberts said: “We are delighted that we have someone of Erika Coghlan’s experience and calibre joining us. She has a long track record in communications, an in-depth knowledge of the food industry and has worked at board level for a number of blue chip companies.

“Erika will build upon the strong foundations that are already in place in the NFU’s communications directorate, while assisting in the development of the NFU’s vision for the industry. Her appointment will also strengthen the organisation’s senior management team. I am in no doubt that she will be a real asset to the NFU.

Until Coghlan begins, Terry Jones will continue in the role of acting director of communications which he has been in since February.