The National Sheep Association (NSA) is pleased to announce it has welcomed three new staff members to its team furthering its work representing the UK’s sheep farmers at a critical time for UK agriculture.

Following a recruitment process for two vacant positions at the start of 2025 NSA is excited to announce that well known and respected agricultural journalist, Michael Priestley has joined the Association as NSA Policy manager.

Michael brings with him extensive experience of UK livestock production. In his new role he will manage and coordinate NSA’s work to ensure sheep farmers are well represented in all forums, including a wide range of stakeholder meetings. His work will also help to ensure NSA members are kept up-to-date with new developments and ongoing issues.

Welcoming Michael into the job, NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker (pictured alongside Michael) says: “The whole NSA team is thrilled to welcome Michael on board. Michael has demonstrated to us already a fantastic knowledge and understanding of agricultural policy and the UK sheep sector and will be a real asset to NSA.”

Michael says: “It's great to join such a widely respected and highly regarded team as that of NSA’s. I am excited to have now started work as NSA Policy Manager and look forward to supporting NSA’s work representing the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the UK.”

Filling the second vacant position is Lydia Badham who has taken up the role of NSA Digital Communications Officer. Lydia’s job is focused on maintaining NSA’s online presence, to keep members up-to-date and non-members aware of the depth and breadth of NSA’s work. Lydia will also look after the NSA websites and social channels, to promote membership subscriptions, upcoming events, activities and competitions.

Last but not least, Anna Wilson has joined NSA in a new, exciting role; NSA Technical Communications Manager.  This position will enhance the NSA Communications Team helping to deliver respected NSA communications such as NSA Sheep Farmer Magazine and the member’s Weekly email newsletter. Anna will also help deliver the NSA Next Generation programme. In the new position she also becomes secretariat for the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group. Anna joins NSA having worked in a busy veterinary practice for the past 10 years. She will now divide her time between NSA and work on her family’s sheep and arable farm in North Yorkshire.

NSA Communications Manager Katie James comments: “We are really pleased to have complete this latest successful recruitment process. Welcoming new team members to NSA and in particular to our communications team, with such valuable connections to the industry and a passion for a sustainable sheep sector is a really fantastic accomplishment and will undoubtedly benefit NSA and its service to its members and the sheep sector as a whole.”

For more information about NSA’s work please visit www.nationalsheep.org.uk/about.