The NPA has announced that Lizzie Wilson has been appointed as its new chief executive, replacing Zoe Davies, who took up a new role with the NFU this month.
Lizzie has become a familiar and well-respected figure across the pig sector since she joined the organisation in 2011, initially as regions manager, and more recently as policy services officer. She has twice deputised for Zoe as general manager, including the past few weeks since Zoe’s departure.
She has been responsible for liaising with members and government on planning and environmental legislation, helping to secure a number of important policy changes over the years. Recently, for example, she played a central role recently in securing a more sensible interpretation of the Farming Rules for Water. Lizzie also specialises in crisis management, with regards to animal rights activism and anti-farming rhetoric.
Announcing her appointment following a thorough recruitment process, NPA chairman Rob Mutimer said: “I am delighted that we have appointed Lizzie. She was an outstanding candidate from a competitive recruitment process and brings fantastic levels of experience, industry knowledge and general know-how to the role.
“She has always shown tremendous passion for the pig sector during her time with the NPA and has achieved so much for the sector already.
“While this appointment will ensure continuity, Lizzie made it clear during the recruitment process that she has a real vision for how she wants to move the NPA forward in challenging and changing times.”
Lizzie said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be named as the new CEO of the NPA.
“Leading the organisation in such turbulent financial and political times, and with increasingly limited resource will of course be challenging. But with support from my very capable team, and the NPA’s Pig Industry Group, I am determined to help the sector navigate the next few months to ensure we emerge better and more resilient than ever.
“I’m so passionate about this industry and continue to believe it can have a bright future if everyone is pulling in the same direction.”
Lizzie, who was brought up on a farm, has worked in the UK pig industry for 19 years. She gained a thorough grounding in practical pig production with BQP, and then worked for Elanco for a short time, before joining taking up her ‘dream job’ at the NPA in 2011.