Zoe announces departure from NPA after 14 years of incredible service

Zoe Davies has announced she will be leaving the NPA after 14 years of unstinting service, including eight as chief executive.

Zoe, who NPA chairman Rob Mutimer described as an ‘absolute industry legend’, has had a huge impact during her time at NPA, fighting the industry’s corner tirelessly and effectively on numerous policy and supply chain issues and, recently, showing tremendous leadership during the pig industry crisis.

Zoe will be taking on the role as the NFU’s East Anglian Regional Director at the beginning of August.

Zoe said: “The decision has not been an easy one to make, but I honestly feel that now is the right time for me to make this change personally and for the NPA.

“I won’t be going too far. I am very much looking forward to the challenges my new role with the NFU will bring, but I am exceptionally sad to be leaving this amazing industry that I have been involved in for the last 27 years. 

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my amazing team at NPA, all the producer, allied industry and other specialists on our Pig Industry Group (PIG) (and previously PG and AIG), and, of course, with our members. I look forward to seeing some of you at the Pig Fair next week.

“The NPA has a bright future with the fantastic team already in place and I’m confident that the Board will, over the coming weeks, make the right decisions as to how to move the organisation forward.

“It has been a privilege to be part of this great industry, and I have no doubt that once we get through these tough times, the pig sector will thrive again.”

Rob said the pig sector owed Zoe a huge debt of gratitude. “The board is very sorry to see Zoe go, but she departs with our very best wishes for her future role and huge thanks on behalf of everyone connected to the pig industry for the monumental shift she has put in over the years.

“Zoe has worked incredibly hard to represent the pig sector, and, with her team, has delivered so much on behalf of producers and the wider industry. Her knowledge, drive, passion for the industry and leadership skills are second-to-none and she is hugely respected both inside and outside the pig industry.

“We will now start the process of recruiting a replacement. Zoe will leave the NPA in a great position, with a very strong and talented team in place to address the issues we will no doubt continue to face.”