Tom Bradshaw has been re-elected as NFU president for a second two-year term, alongside two new faces to the union’s officeholder team.
The arable farmer from Essex came out top in a two-way contest with David Exwood, who was also defeated in the ballot to retain his position as deputy president.
He will be joined by North Yorkshire dairy farmer Paul Tompkins as deputy president, replacing Mr Exwood, and Robyn Munt, a beef, sheep and arable farmer and farm consultant from the Isle of Wight, as vice-president, replacing Rachel Hallos.
Mr Bradshaw has been part of the NFU officeholder team for six years, having served as president for the past two years and holding both the vice-president and deputy President positions before that.
He said: “I am deeply honoured and extremely proud to have been re-elected President of this superb organisation. I would like to thank both David and Rachel for their commitment and service to the NFU and its members.
“The past 18 months have been among the most challenging in recent memory for British farming. Throughout this time, the NFU has been at the forefront of fighting for our industry and none of it would have been possible without our members. The success we have achieved has been down to working collaboratively and showing a united front. Together we have been stronger.”
The new deputy president Mr Tompkins said: “It’s an incredible privilege to be chosen to serve as NFU deputy president at a time when British agriculture faces real pressures but holds even greater potential.
“My focus is now clear – deliver practical results for farmers, work collaboratively, keep a sharp commercial outlook and build confidence across the farming community.”
Ms Munt, the new vice-president, said: “I’m incredibly proud and honoured to have been elected to represent Britain’s farmers as part of the NFU officeholder team.
“As a fifth-generation beef, sheep & arable farmer, I know what a challenging time it has been for the farming industry with confidence at an all-time low due to volatile costs, threats of disease and extreme weather.”
The election took place after the AGM of the NFU Council, a representative body made up of its elected members, following the NFU’s annual conference in Birmingham.