As the writer of this column (for the last time) I would like to take this final opportunity to thank all those who have worked so selflessly and tirelessly to make the FPC what it is today. My tenure of office at the FPC has meant a great deal to me as do the many friends I have made throughout my career in the produce industry.

However, 10 years in post and the arrival of my 60th birthday indicate to me that the best thing I could do is make way for a younger successor with new ideas and plenty of energy. I’m confident that Nigel has these qualities and will prove to be an excellent chief executive of the FPC.

I do, however, wish and hope to continue my involvement with the produce industry. After six years as a director of HRI and following its successful transition out of Defra into East Malling Research and Warwick HRI, I have been asked to continue my involvement with Warwick HRI. This is an opportunity I very much look forward to.

Following discussions with the Board of MDS, I hope to take a more active interest in their activities in future (the current chairman, David Bagshaw, is contemplating retirement after six very successful years). For those of you who may not know, MDS provides a unique and remarkably successful solution to that often repeated concern about the difficulty of attracting the right calibre of young people into our industry.