The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has appointed new sector directors across its Cereals and Oilseeds and Beef and Lamb sectors.
As a result of AHDB CEO Graham Wilkinson’s appointments, all Beef and Lamb, Cereals and Oilseeds, Dairy and Pork sectors now have executive-level representatives.
Sarah Woolford, AHDB’s new Cereals and Oilseeds sector director, boasts a background spanning 13 years working with farmers, Government and the supply chain in Australia in strategic and commercial leadership roles. AHDB said her global, strategic and commercial expertise, combined with her hands-on experience working on an arable and sheep farm will bring “valuable insight” to the trade body.
The Beef and Lamb sector director, Sam Charlton, has a background in farming, which AHDB said would be “invaluable” at a leadership level.
AHDB CEO Graham Wilkinson said: “This new structure allows us to have a laser focus on the sectors and the levy payers we are working for.
“Having the calibre of Sam and Sarah joining my leadership team along with specific representation for Beef and Lamb, Cereals and Oilseeds, Dairy and Pork is crucial in ensuring we are always listening and delivering value for our levy payers.
“These roles will be responsible for stepping up and leading AHDB within the industry, along with championing the work we are doing across the whole business. They will also be responsible for supporting the sector board members within the work that they are doing.”
Wilkinson continued: “I have spent the first five months of my time at AHDB listening to farmers, processors, colleagues and industry stakeholders. It is clear to me that our success relies on being levy payer obsessed. In order to unleash the full potential of AHDB I am focused on four key pillars:
- Our levy payers and maintaining their success
- Strong, brave and decisive leadership
- Creating a work environment that is fit to thrive
- Driving expertise and excellence to support our growth”
Sam and Sarah are expected to take up their new roles in early September. They join the leadership team along with sector directors for Pork (Angela Christison) and Dairy (Paul Flanagan).
