UK Ministers have recently re-appointed Nicholas Saphir as the AHDB chair, for one year, with effect from April 1, 2023.
Mr Saphir has served as AHDB chair since 2020 and is ‘delighted’ to extend his term – having been re-commissioned by Defra’s Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey, with approval from Ministers in the Scottish and Welsh Governments, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
He has a broad background in agriculture and horticulture, having built and been engaged in running public companies farming and processing food in the UK, Europe, Southern Africa and South America.
Additionally, Mr Saphir also has a long and successful record of chairing industry and government bodies in the food and farming sector, including being the chairman of the Central Council for Agricultural and Horticultural Cooperation, founder chairman of Food from Britain, president of the Fresh Produce Consortium and chairman of the Agricultural Forum.
He said of his appointment: “The AHDB has a vital role to play in helping our levy payers meet the challenges that lie ahead. The organisation has been through a radical period of change including delivering better value and more targeted services, which levy payers have highlighted as priorities.
“The recent launch of the new strategies for the Beef & Lamb, Cereals and Oilseeds, Dairy and Pork sectors underpin our commitment to listen and deliver. I look forward to being part of the next stage of the journey in facing up to the challenges and helping levy payers take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.”
AHDB’s chief executive, Tim Rycroft said: “Nicholas’ agricultural and commercial experience has been invaluable in helping me restructure and re-focus AHDB to deliver better value. The AHDB team and I are looking forward to continuing working with him on the next stage of that journey.”
Mr Saphir will receive a non-pensionable remuneration of £55,000 per annum, based on a minimum time commitment of 104 days per year. Reasonable travel expenses will also be paid.