The NPA has announced that Norfolk outdoor pig producer Rob Mutimer has been elected as its new chairman.
Serving for a three-year term, he replaces Yorkshire producer Richard Lister, who has stepped down after six years in the role.
Mr Mutimer, who runs a 750-sow unit producing pigs for the Waitrose supply chain, alongside a retail and wholesale butchery business with his wife, Helen, was elected by the NPA board on Tuesday (March 23).
He becomes chairman having served as the NPA’s vice-chair for the past three years. He will have two new vice-chairs, reflecting the move to combine the NPA’s producer and allied industry groups into a single Pig Industry Group.
The producer vice-chair will be Yorkshire producer Phil Stephenson, who chaired the NPA’s Producer Group for a number of years.
The allied industry vice-chair will be Hugh Crabtree, who runs Reading-based pig ventilation control system supplier, Farmex, and previously chaired the Allied Industry Group.
Mr Mutimer, who is a member of the AHDB Pork Board, said he was honoured to be elected to the role at a critical time for the pig sector.
“The work of the NPA has never been more important than it is now as the industry faces up to challenges on multiple fronts,” he said.
“I will aim to ensure the association continues to punch above its weight as it fights the industry’s corner and we all work towards building a thriving and sustainable pig industry of the future.
“I am really pleased to have Phil and Hugh, who bring vast experience and knowledge to the role, working alongside me. Along with the newly-elected Pig Industry Group, we will all do our best to support the hard-working and hugely effective NPA team in their vital work.”
“I also want to pay tribute to my predecessor Richard Lister and thank him the fantastic leadership he has shown over the years.”
NPA chief executive Zoe Davies congratulated Mr Mutimer and his two vice-chairs on their appointments.
“I am very happy that we have such a strong team to help support NPA staff with whatever challenges await over the next three years,” she said.
The NPA Board met after the first meeting of the NPA’s new 17-strong PIG. This followed the recent the NPA elections, the results of which were announced earlier this month.