Following a three-year term as chair of the Dairy UK Board, Paul Vernon, chief executive of Glanbia Cheese, has stepped down from the role.
Vernon said, “I’d like to thank my board colleagues for their vote of confidence over the last three years. It’s been my pleasure to work with such a collaborative board as we’ve navigated major issues, including most recently, Covid-19. I’m pleased that during in the last few years the focus of this industry is now back on the consumer. I am fully supportive of Ash’s chairmanship and look forward to continuing to work with him and my other colleagues on the Dairy UK board.”
Amirahmadi said, “The industry’s response to the Covid-19 crisis has clearly demonstrated the benefits of a collaborative, science-based and consumer-focused approach and we must take the learnings from this. It is more important than ever that we work together as an industry to promote the nutrition and health benefits of dairy, showcase our commitment to sustainability, and ensure that Brexit works for the UK dairy sector. Most importantly we must be proud to drive our industry forward with gusto and I am looking forward to working with the Dairy UK team to do this.”
Dr Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK, said, “On behalf of the Dairy UK team and our members I’d like to thank Paul for the three years of his excellent leadership as Chair. Paul’s time at the head of the Dairy UK Board table has been far from uneventful, but Paul has steered us through these difficult times with dedication, pragmatism and strategic focus. We look forward to his continued input around the Board table.”
“We welcome Ash to his new role in the organization. Ash’s enthusiasm for the dairy sector is well known. He has worked tirelessly over the years to ensure that the benefits of dairy products and the dairy sector are recognized. We look forward to working with him as Chair to further Dairy UK’s strategic goals.”
Also elected at the Dairy UK AGM were vice-chairs Tom Atherton, of Saputo Dairy UK, and Shelagh Hancock, from First Milk, along with Mike Chatters, from Lactalis Mclelland, as treasurer.