Rob Smith, UK market director at Danish Crown Pork, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Provision Trade Federation (PTF). He succeeds Phil Langslow in the role.

Commenting on his new role Smith said: “I am proud to be appointed PTF’s chairman and I am looking forward to working with the whole team at the PTF, the PTF Council colleagues and our members to take forward the organisation’s work.

“Taking on the chairmanship of the PTF is a huge privilege. As a result of the UK’s exit from the EU and notwithstanding the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the NI protocol arrangements, the food industry is continuing to face unprecedented challenges with the simultaneous impact of coronavirus Covid-19 restrictions. So, it’s more crucial than ever that businesses keep abreast of issues influencing trade in dairy and meat products including proposed change in food policy and regulations. We will continue to represent our members’ interests at every level. I would also like to pay tribute to the outgoing chairman, Phil Langslow who, during his tenure, has guided the organisation through such choppy seas with real skill and assurance.”

Joint PTF director generals Andrew Kuyk CBE and Angela Coleshill told Food Management Today: ““On behalf of the whole PTF team, Angela and I are delighted to welcome Rob to his new role – and to echo his comments about the exceptional contribution of our outgoing chair, Phil Langslow.

“Like all trade associations, we are hugely dependent on the time and expertise of our office holders, freely given in support of the members we represent, and at a time when they are facing unprecedented pressures within their own businesses. We look forward with confidence to the challenges ahead.”