Having stepped down from his position as CEO of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Graham Wilkinson has been appointed group agriculture director at Sofina Foods Europe.

Wilkinson joins following his role at trade body AHDB, where he led a transformational five-year strategy. Sofina Foods said that he brings a “wealth of insight and expertise” to the business, having previously served as global vice president of agriculture at Arla Foods and in various senior positions at UK retailer Tesco.

Sofina Foods said Wilkinson would lead its agricultural strategy across its European operations, focusing on building “resilient supply chains, enhancing sustainability and strengthening relationships” with farming communities.

Ash Amirahmadi, CEO, Sofina Foods Europe, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Graham to Sofina. This appointment underlines the raised ambition that Sofina Foods Europe has for the agricultural agenda.

“Prioritising and investing in the agricultural agenda is key to building our reputation as a leading food business in Europe. Our outdoor bred pig farming operations combined with our dedicated supplier partnerships and our commitment to championing independent family farms are strong foundations to build from.”

Wilkinson stated: “I’m honoured to be joining Sofina Foods at such an exciting time. Agriculture is at the heart of the food industry and I’m passionate about working closely with farmers and rural communities to build strategies that create long-term value for them, our customers and the business.

“I look forward to working with Ash Amirahmadi and the wider team at Sofina Foods to shape a future-focused approach that strengthens partnerships, supports sustainable farming, and drives innovation across our supply chain.”