Board and leadership team

The AHDB board has nine members including the chair, four of which are sector council chairs. The leadership team comprises the chief executive and our directors.

AHDB board

Our board members are appointed by Defra for varying terms of up to four years, with a maximum of two terms. They are appointed on the basis of their expertise in agriculture, or their skills and experience in industry or the professions.

Candidates are identified by Defra, in consultation with us and the devolved governments, using an open recruitment process that is compliant with the relevant guidance issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).

AHDB remunerates board members for their contributions based on annual rates set by Defra. Board members are also able to claim reasonable travel expenses. Current rates for board members are:

  • Board members receive £12,600 per annum with a minimum expectation of 36 days per annum
  • The four Board members who also serve as sector council chairs receive £25,200 per annum with a minimum expectation of 72 days per annum
  • The AHDB chair receives £58,000 per annum with a minimum expectation of 104 days per annum

Image of staff member Nicholas Saphir

Nicholas Saphir

AHDB Chair

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Image of staff member Colin Bateman

Colin Bateman

Board Member and Beef & Lamb Sector Council Chair

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Image of staff member Tom Clarke

Tom Clarke

Board Member and Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council Chair

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Image of staff member Lyndon Edwards

Lyndon Edwards

Board Member and Dairy Sector Council Chair

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Image of staff member Stephen Briggs

Stephen Briggs

Board Member

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Image of staff member Dr Catherine MacKenzie

Dr Catherine MacKenzie

Board Member and chair of the Remuneration and Nominations Committee

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Image of staff member Sarah Pumfrett

Sarah Pumfrett

Board Member and chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

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Image of staff member Graeme Jack

Graeme Jack

Board Member

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Image of staff member Glen Nimmo

Glen Nimmo

Board Member and Pork Sector Council Chair

See full bio

Image of staff member Anthony Taylor

Anthony Taylor

UK Boardroom Apprentice (no voting rights)

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AHDB leadership team

Image of staff member Graham Wilkinson

Graham Wilkinson

AHDB CEO

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Image of staff member Ken Boyns

Ken Boyns

Centre of Excellence Director (Sustainable Agriculture)

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Image of staff member Tony Holmes

Tony Holmes

Finance & Operations Director

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Image of staff member Will Jackson

Will Jackson

Market Development & Communications Director

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Image of staff member Jackie Kay

Jackie Kay

HR Director

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Image of staff member Guy Attenborough

Guy Attenborough

Corporate Affairs Director

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Image of staff member Samantha Charlton

Samantha Charlton

Head of Engagement (Beef & Lamb)

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Image of staff member Paul Flanagan

Paul Flanagan

Stakeholder Engagement Director (Dairy Sector Lead)

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Image of staff member Angela Christison

Angela Christison

Strategic Development Director (Pork Sector Lead)

See full bio

Details of AHDB leadership team remuneration can be found in the AHDB Annual Reports and Accounts.  

For information on former AHDB sectors (horticulture and potatoes) visit the AHDB Horticulture and Potatoes Archive.

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