Ministers have made a new appointment and reappointed two other posts at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Tom Clarke has been appointed as board member of AHDB, with extended responsibility as Cereals & Oilseeds sector council chair for three years from the beginning of April.

Mike Sheldon has also been re-appointed as AHDB board member and Pork sector council chair for 12 months, with effect from 10th April 2023.

Sarah Pumfrett has been re-appointed as board member and chair of the AHDB Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) for three years with effect from 1st April 2023.

These are Ministerial appointments, made by the Secretary of State for Defra, which have been approved by the devolved administrations.

The appointments are made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are saidf to be made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. In accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public.

The appointees have declared that they have not taken part in any significant political activity in the past five years.

Nicholas Saphir, AHDB chair, said: “I am delighted with the appointment of Tom and the re-appointments of Mike and Sarah. Their collective industry experienced adds value to our skill-based Board as we drive the delivery of our sector-focused plans and provide tangible benefits and value for money for our levy payers.”

Tom Clarke will receive a non-pensionable remuneration of £23,616 per annum, based on a minimum time commitment of 72 days per year.

Mike Sheldon will receive a non-pensionable remuneration of £23,616 per annum, based on a minimum time commitment of 72 days per year.

Sarah Pumfrett will receive a non-pensionable remuneration of £11,808 per annum, based on a minimum time commitment of 36 days per year.

Reasonable travel expenses are also paid.