RABDF name ex-Arla Chief Executive Ash Amirahmadi the winner of this year’s Princess Royal Award, recognising his outstanding contribution to the sector. Mr Amirahmadi was formally presented with the award earlier today (15 April) in a ceremony at Gatcombe Park by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

Ash started his career at Unilever, after graduating from the University of Nottingham with a Mechanical Engineering degree, before embarking on a 20-year career with Arla Foods where he became a key figure in leading the dairy industry.

Working across different parts of the supply chain allowed Ash the privilege of being able to see the bigger picture in a number of situations, allowing him to see beyond his own company interests, and work out what direction the wider industry should be going in for the benefit of all. By doing this he was able to build up trust which in turn opened the gates for him to show leadership by expressing his opinions on how best the sector should move forward with the ultimate benefit being to the consumer.

Whilst he faced different challenges throughout his time at Arla, Ash explains the transition between Milklink and Arla Foods was his toughest, yet ultimately most rewarding encounter.

He says: “The decision to transition from suppliers to owners when Milklink and Arla Foods merged had so many positives, but building trust and confidence between the parties, and overcoming the obstacles the merger posed, were by far some of the most testing times of my career.

“I can now look back knowing that the success of the merger has created a strong cooperative in the UK market changing the narrative for good.”

Through his involvement as Chair of The Dairy Roadmap Ash has spearheaded the work behind bringing the industry together to lead on sustainability to date. It is now also clear to see the global success of dairy, some of which must be apportioned to the work he has done, he continues to be involved with this as part of his role as Chairman of the Institute of Grocery Development. He also sits on the UK government board of trade and was awarded an OBE for his services to the dairy industry in the 2023 New Year’s Honours.

When he joined the industry it was 10 years post deregulation with a vacuum of leadership. The sector was in a position where retailers thought they had to lead the way as there was a lack of leadership coming from the wider industry. As a result of the work Ash, alongside many others, has done since this time we now find ourselves in a new era where the sector not only stands on its own two feet, but is relevant, evolving and has a bright future globally.

When joining the dairy industry Ash didn’t imagine he’d become a household name when it came to milk, but fast forward 20 years, and here we are. “When you join a sector and observe the huge names that are a part of it, you don’t ever really think beyond your role and your vision for the outlook of the product”, he says.

“To be recognised by my peers through winning this award is incredibly emotional. I never imagined I’d ever be close to becoming a ‘name’ as it was always something too far out of reach.

“It really is the greatest honour that can be awarded in the dairy sector and I will be forever humbled and grateful to have been recognised.”