Defra ministers delay appointment of new AHDB chairman
© Tim Scrivener A new chairman of the AHDB has still not been appointed by Defra ministers, despite the application window closing back in December.
Current AHDB chairman Nicholas Saphir has already served a five-year term and was due to stand down at the end of March, however he has been asked to stay on in the role until a replacement is found.
Interviews should have been completed by mid-February, according to the government’s own timeline, and no further update has been provided.
A Defra spokesperson said: “Nicholas Saphir has agreed to extend his current appointment as chair of the AHDB for a further two months, from 1 April 2025 until 31 May 2025, to allow ministers to make a final decision on the appointment of a new chair.”
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An advisory assessment panel was selected to carry out interviews and make recommendations.
The panel was made up of Defra director of Agri-Food Chain Tessa Jones, former Country Land and Business Association president and Natural England non-exec board member Mark Tufnell, and former Rural Payments Agency chairman Elizabeth Passey.
It is then for the Defra minister and ministers from the devolved nations to ultimately decide who will be appointed to lead the levy board.
The new chairman is due to receive an annual remuneration of £58,000, with a time commitment of 104 days each year.
Board members reappointed
AHDB beef and lamb sector council chairman Colin Bateman has been reappointed for a further three years.
Lyndon Edwards has been reappointed as AHDB dairy sector council chairman for three years.
Meanwhile, Catherine MacKenzie will continue to chair the AHDB Remuneration and Nominations Committee for a three-year period.
Finally, Stephen Briggs will remain as an AHDB board member for a further three years.
Mr Saphir said: “I am delighted with the reappointments of Colin, Lyndon, Catherine and Stephen.
“Their collective industry experience 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.”