Cereals & Oilseeds chair to step down

We are sorry to announce that Sarah Bell has decided to step down as AHDB board member and chair of the Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council with effect from 30 July.

Sarah commented, ''I am pleased to have worked for levy payers on the AHDB Board and as chair of the Cereals and Oilseeds Sector Council and am encouraged by the rate of change with which AHDB continues to strive to put its levy payers at the heart of its organisation. I am stepping down to focus on my own farming business but will continue to be a strong advocate for AHDB.

''I have seen first-hand the value that AHDB's unique contribution can make for levy payers on issues like farming rules for water and believe flagship tools like Recommended List will continue to evolve and meet the needs of levy payers long into the future.''

Nicholas Saphir, chair of AHDB, commented, “During the time she has been in post, Sarah has made a significant contribution to the board, particularly in terms of setting the direction of travel for Cereals & Oilseeds, as will become apparent when our plans for future work in the sector are published in November.

''We are delighted that she remains fully supportive of AHDB. We would like to thank her for her efforts and wish her all the best for future.''

Stephen Briggs, AHDB board member and cereals grower, will take over as interim chair of the Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council with the opportunity for another cereals and oilseeds grower to join the board being advertised alongside other board vacancies in the autumn.