John Godfrey CBE FCA FRAgS has been appointed Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is a Defra sponsored Non Departmental Public Body. It is funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain through statutory levies and serves six sectors representing about 75 per cent of total UK agricultural output: pig meat in England; beef and lamb in England; commercial horticulture in Great Britain; milk in Great Britain; potatoes in Great Britain; cereals and oilseeds in the UK.

Mr Godfrey will be responsible for leading the AHDB in its pivotal role of improving business efficiency and competitiveness in the agriculture and food sectors. He will  take forward recommendations following a recent industry workshop looking at the future role, structure and governance of the organisation, and at how to ensure levy-payers receive value for money.

Mr Godfrey was Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Lincoln and a Director of BPEX (British Pig Executive). He is a farmer with a large arable and pig business and was instrumental in forming the National Pig Association of which he was the first Chair. He was also the instigator and first Chair of FABpigs (now Assured British Pigs) and is Chair of the Pig Industry Development Scheme.

This appointment has been made by the Secretary of State in conjunction with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland. It complies with the Code  issued by the independent Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

John Godfrey’s appointment will be from 16 May 2011 until 31 March 2014 and he will be paid £52,000 per annum (on the basis of a time input of two days per week).  Reasonable travel expenses are also paid.