A relentless focus on delivering best value for the industry is the driver behind current changes at AHDB, according to Chairman Peter Kendall.
Speaking at the Lincolnshire Farming Conference, Mr Kendall said moving towards ‘one organisation’ was aimed at ensuring the industry got the very best from its levy board.
He said: “AHDB’s role is to help build a confident, competitive industry which is constantly learning and adapting, acquiring new skills, innovating and adopting new technologies. This year’s Oxford Farming Conference Report highlighted the great work that AHDB does, but asked the question as to whether we could do more.
“Over the past year as Chairman, I have been able to see at first hand the fantastic skills and knowledge of our staff, and the quality of the projects they deliver for our levy payers.
“But I believe that our organisation can work smarter, be more responsive and more effective for farmers and growers through being more joined up.”
He stressed: “That does not mean that we lose sector specialisms and the principle of levies raised in a sector being spent for the benefit of that sector. These are core to AHDB and will continue. Moving forward AHDB needs to look at how we can combine joint working with these principles, and talk to the industry about where levy funds should be invested.”
Earlier this month AHDB announced the appointment of George Lyon as its new independent Board member and Stuart Roberts, Meryl Ward and Paul Temple as Board members with responsibility for the Beef and Lamb, Pigs and Cereals and Oilseeds divisions. These followed the February appointment of ex-Farmers Weekly editor Jane King as the new CEO.
As part of its drive towards ‘one organisation’ AHDB is also rebranding its divisions this summer.