After 38 years with ForFarmers Steven Read will be retiring from the business at the end of 2024. Until the end of this year Steven will be responsible for divesting two UK sites and fulfilling an interim assignment at Group Headquarters. 

"It has been hugely rewarding to be part of the journey of ForFarmers in the UK and see it set on solid foundations to continue to support all livestock sectors," said Steven. "The expanding CirQlar business is particularly exciting as the feeding of co-products is an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective way to bring increased nutrition to livestock feed."

"I'm really pleased to have found two talented individuals to take the business forward. Dr Mark Cole will be Managing Director of the compound feed, blends, forage and straights business, and Peter Lyon the Managing Director, CirQlar UK, the growing coproducts business. "

ForFarmers appoints Managing Director for UK compound feed, blends, forage and straights business

Dr Mark Cole moves from the role of Managing Director Ruminant OpCo, to take on the leadership for all species in the UK. Mark has over 30 years of commercial and business experience in the industry. His appointment solidifies the strong relationship across all sectors of the business and demonstrates ForFarmers' commitment to the UK livestock industry as a whole.

This transition is happening at the same time as Steven Read steps down from responsibility for the UK business and ultimately retires from ForFarmers at the end of 2024 after 38 years.

Mark brings extensive international expertise and perspective to the role having spent over 18 years with Provimi (now Cargill) in several general management and technical roles both in the UK and abroad. He has also worked with ForFarmers in both the UK business and in group roles including a stint as Micro and Speciality Purchase Director and was then charged with leading the integration of the Polish business, Tasomix into the ForFarmers family following its acquisition. In addition to this he has worked for the Carr's Group including the role of Managing Director of Carr's Billington Agriculture (Sales) before its divestment.

Mark is excited to take on this new challenge at ForFarmers. He said: "I have built up considerable experience in commercial, technical and general management within the feed sector which I am looking forward to bringing to this role as we continue to support farmers across the UK with the best possible feed solutions."