Mike Sheldon takes over as chair of AHDB Pork

Red Tractor chairman Mike Sheldon has been appointed as the new chairman of AHDB Pork, replacing Meryl Ward, whose two-year term finished at the end of March.

Mr Sheldon, a former chief executive of the National Pig Association, formally began his role on April 10. He has been appointed for a three-year term.

Mr Sheldon said: “I am very pleased to be joining the AHDB Board at this important time and to also be leading the Pork Sector Board.

"I am passionate about British farming, food and drink and I believe that AHDB can deliver a difference for UK agriculture as we manage our way through Brexit and into a new trading environment.”

 AHDB Chairman Peter Kendall said he was delighted to welcome Mr Sheldon to the AHDB Board alongside Sophie Churchill, who has been appointed as chair of the potatoes sector board.

He said: "They join at a significant time for AHDB as we look to deliver a fresh strategy to inspire the food and farming industry to respond to the challenges of Brexit and changing domestic and international markets."

Big issues

NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said: "We welcome the appointment of Mike Sheldon as chairman of AHDB Pork.

"We know Mike well as a former chief executive of NPA and through his leadership of the Red Tractor pork board, where he has always sought to balance the requirements of the scheme with the needs of producers. We look forward to working with him on the big issues facing the industry."

Mr Sheldon is a director and proprietor of a wine importing and online retail business.He is chairman of the Real Welfare Steering Group for pigs in the UK  and is a non-executive director of Assured Food Standards, as well as chairing its pig sector board.

From 1982 to 1996, he worked for pig genetics company, PIC, taking on various roles from production manager for the UK to marketing Mmanager for Europe, before leaving to set up his own farrow-to-finish pig production company which he ran for 18 years.

The appointments have been made jointly by Ministers in Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for Northern Ireland.

Sir Peter thanked Meryl for her 'great contribution to the work of the Board during this period of change and the passion and thoughtful energy she put into the role'.