AHDB Beef Lamb Acting Chair appointed

She will also attend meetings of the main AHDB Board to represent her sector until a permanent replacement has been formally appointed by UK Ministers.

The move follows the resignation last month of former AHDB Board Member and Beef Lamb Sector Board Chair Stuart Roberts.

Gill is a public health nutritionist with more than 30 years’ experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors. She was Director, Consumer Choice and Dietary Health (CCDH), at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and, prior to that, was Head of Food and Health at Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Peter Kendall, AHDB Chair, said: “I am delighted Gill has agreed to step in as Acting Chair. This ensures our Beef Lamb Sector Board can make a full contribution to the important discussions with industry, farmers and growers that lie ahead for AHDB. 

“I know she has the full backing of her colleagues on the Beef Lamb Sector Board, and I look forward to working with her at this very important time.”

Gill said: “Our focus as the Beef Lamb Sector Board is to identify the priorities and recommend the strategy for our sector to the main AHDB Board, to help our farmers and processors be more competitive and sustainable. 

“As part of this, we will continue to explore market opportunities at home and overseas for our beef and sheep meat products in ways which deliver value for money and real outcomes for levy payers.”

Recruitment for a new AHDB Board Member, who will also chair the Beef Lamb Sector Board, is expected to start in the next few weeks.