Helen Priestley has been appointed chief executive of the British Potato Council (BPC), succeeding Nigel Jupe, who had held the position since 1998.

Formerly BPC director of marketing & communications, Priestley joined the Council three years ago, having previously worked in consumer marketing and the food service industry.

She took up the post on July 1 and will report to the 16–member Council appointed by ministers to oversee the organisation's work on r&d, marketing and market information.

Commenting on the appointment, BPC chairman David Walker said: 'Helen has contributed enormously to the work of the Council in recent years and is held in high regard by key players across the industry, so I am delighted that she will now play a wider role. In particular, her open minded approach and focus on meaningful objectives, coupled with a track record for getting things done, will be assets to the industry as it faces a period of significant change.' Speaking to the Fresh Produce Journal, Priestley outlined her visions for the challenges to come. 'We have a good corporate plan to enhance a two way relationship between the growers and the packers. Everyone has to be accountable, including the BPC, and my job is to get everyone to embrace this.

'Growers are decreasing in numbers, with the ones remaining increasing acreage. This creates its own problems.'

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