Forum Speakers
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Aimee Mahony, Chief Poultry Advisor, NFU.
Aimee Mahony joined the NFU in 2016 following four years in the poultry industry, gaining practical poultry experience in her previous role with the UK’s largest egg packer Noble Foods. Aimee held the role of Regional Manager for East Anglia, looking after contract egg producers, liaising with a number of industry stakeholders including assurance bodies and retailers. She also helped develop an internal audit and was the editor of the producer magazine, the ‘Egg Express’. In 2019 Aimee was named the EPIC Young Poultry Person of the Year and eight months later was appointed NFU Chief Poultry Adviser. Aimee completed her MSc in Intensive Livestock Health and Production in 2020, focusing her final research on UK poultry keepers’ perceptions of avian influenza biosecurity and risk. As Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee leads on a number of policy issues covering both the poultry meat and egg sectors and manages the national poultry board. She has also been instrumental in the success of the Poultry Industry Programme which is an opportunity for young people to learn more about the poultry sector and encourages them to become future ambassadors for the industry.
Forum: Egg Outlook – Helping You Plan Ahead
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Alistair Driver, Editor, Pig World.
Alistair is editor of Pig World and group editor of Agronomist and Arable Farmer (AAF) Farm Contractor and Large Scale Farmer, titles recently acquired by Farmers Weekly owner, Mark Allen Group. Alistair is also the National Pig Association's webmaster, updating the website on a daily basis and advising the association on communications. Pig World is the leading industry title, incorporating a monthly magazine, website and events, including the annual National Pig Awards and the successful Pigs Tomorrow conference. Alistair joined Lewis Business Media, Pig World's previous owner, in August 2016. Previously he was political editor at Farmers Guardian for many years and, before, worked for Farmers Weekly. He has been a regular farming media pundit over the years, commenting on industry issues on Sky and BBC TV news, as well as Farming Today and regional radio. Brought up on a Leicestershire farm, he now works from a shed in the garden of his home in Oxfordshire.
Forum: Pig Outlook – Predictions For The Year Ahead
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Chloe Ryan, Editor, Poultry Business.
Editor of Poultry Business, Chloe has spent nearly two decades writing about the food and farming industry, including the whole supply chain including manufacturing, retail and foodservice. When not working, dog walking, travel and learning Ukrainian keep her occupied.
Forum: Farm Assurance Schemes – What The Future Holds For Eggs And Poultry
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Chris Maxwell, Team Leader Animal Health, DEFRA.
Chris is an experienced policymaker with over 18 years’ experience of working in government. He’s spent the last 7 years working on Defra’s Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, since its inception. In this time he’s worked on the Agriculture Act, the Annual Health and Welfare Review and for the last three years has focused on co-design and delivery of the endemic disease programmes that follow on from the Review. Having worked with the farming sector from the outset of the Pathway, Chris has worked to develop and deliver programmes of support that will make a difference to animal health and to farmers across England.
Forum: Animal Health And Welfare Pathway Policies For Pigs
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Danny Johnson, General Manager, ABN.
Danny obtained a First Class degree in Business Management from Nottingham Business School and has spent the last 25 years at Associated British Foods working across a variety of Commercial and Operational roles in both food and agriculture. Danny moved to AB Agri 11 years ago, within the ABF group and is responsible for all operations across ABN including Sullivans Poultry Group. He is passionate about supporting the creation of opportunities for the next generation within the industry, being a partner to the NFU Poultry Industry Programme and Chair of the Northern Broiler committee.
Forum: Poultry Meat Outlook – Expert Insight For The Year Ahead
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David Andrew, Senior Raw Material Manager, ABN. (THUR)
Originally from Scottish Borders, David studied at Harper Adams Uni, where he completed a Bsc (Hons) in Agri-business. Beginning his career as a trainee grain trainer at Frontier, his career evolved, eventually progressing to the position of oilseed rape trader. After leaving Frontier to join Cefetra, David worked as a grain trader for 3 years before joining AB Agri as a raw material manager. David has been with AB Agri now for over eight years and during this time participated in the NFU Poultry Industry Programme. The skills he took from the programme have supported his progression to senior raw material manager, where he has the responsibility for the position management of major commodities and looking after key accounts.
Forum: Supporting Today’s Generation, Inspiring The Next
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Debbie Wilson, Chair, Ladies in Pigs (LIPS)
Debbie has been the Chairwoman of Ladies in Pigs for six years, combining her background in education with her experience as a pig producer's wife to pursue her dual passions. She has noted a significant gap in knowledge regarding food origins and the farm-to-fork journey during her tenure as a teacher and beyond. Debbie is dedicated to educating as many people as possible about this topic and aims to elevate aspirations and encourage individuals of all ages to consider careers in the British food and farming industry. Her efforts are bolstered by a remarkable team of volunteers who spread these important messages throughout the UK, some of whom are present at the Fair at stand 262.
Forum: Inspiring Younger People To Eat Pork: What Do We Know About Consumers Of The Future And How Do We Reach Them?
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Delyth Lewis-Jones, Head of Environment, AHDB. (WED)
Delyth was appointed Head of Environment for AHDB in March 2023 after spending a number of years as Head of Dairy Development Wales providing strategic and operational insight into the dairy sector in Wales to both Government and industry. The Environment Team covers several areas of work including climate change and net zero (emissions and carbon sequestration), as well as more livestock-specific areas like manure management and diffuse pollution. It’s a large area of work that also supports other AHDB activity e.g. marketing and reputation. She has extensive experience of working with the Agriculture and Food sector (over 25 years) as well as being strongly involved with rural issues and projects. She has a strong strategic and project development, management and evaluation background; as well as having a keen interest in behavioural insights. She also has vast and varied experience of working within both the public and private sector. Delyth originates from a farming background (sheep and beef) and is still very involved with farming in a personal capacity.
Forum: Reducing The Environmental Impact Of Pig Farming On Soil, Water And Slurry To Enhance Reputation
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Demi de Beer, Technical Sales Manager, Animal Nutrition, Brenntag UK & Ireland.
Demi holds an Honours degree in BSc Agricultural Animal Science from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, where she gained extensive practical on-farm experience working with both monogastrics and ruminants. Additionally, she is certified in both cattle and swine artificial insemination. Demi’s background includes roles as an animal nutritionist, where she has been involved in formulating complete feed and premix diets. Demi is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the health and welfare of animals as well as the sustainability and profitability of the animal nutrition sector.
Forum: Safe And Efficient Organic Acids For Sustainable Animal Nutrition Production.
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Dr Gina Caplen, DEFRA.
Gina completed her PhD in amperometric immunosensors while part of the livestock engineering group at Silsoe Research Institute and then moved over to the field of farm animal welfare in 2006. Prior to taking up her current position at Defra in 2021 she spent 15 years working as an academic within the Animal Behaviour and Welfare group at Bristol University. Here she undertook research on various projects that linked physiology with behaviour in meat chickens, laying hens, pigs and dairy cattle. Until very recently Gina was the industry link officer for the Animal Welfare Research Network and chaired their stakeholder advisory board.
Forum: Animal Health And Welfare Pathway Policies For Poultry And Eggs
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Dr. Maria Walsh, Global Marketing Director – Swine, dsm-firmenich.
Dr. Maria Walsh holds degrees in Agricultural Science from Univ. College Dublin and Purdue University, US (MSc and PhD) in the area of swine nutrition and health. She has worked in Innovation Science developing feed additive solutions for swine in leading feed additive companies for over 10 years. After joining dsm-firmenich in May 2018, Maria led the Global Innovation team for swine for 2 years before transitioning to her current role of Global Marketing Director for Swine where she is responsible for the development and execution of all global swine strategy for the performance solution swine business.
Forum: Matching Genetic Improvements In Pigs With Nutritional Solutions.
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Dr. Rachel Crowe, Senior Brand Manager – Avian & Swine, Boehringer Ingelheim.
Rachel has worked in the veterinary and animal health industries since 2001. She is a University of Leeds Graduate in Zoology and also completed her PhD in Ethology and Welfare, through the Animal Physiology Dept. at the university. Rachel spent four years in veterinary sales before gaining her CIM Diploma and moving into marketing roles, national and Global, doing hands-on product management and later leading cross-species marketing teams. She has an MBA from the University of Leicester and joined Boehringer Ingelheim in 2021.
Forum: Soundtalks®- Listen To Your Farm.
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Fergus Howie, Pig Producer & MD Wicks Manor. (WED)
Fergus is a pig farmer and Managing Director of Wicks Manor. Based in Essex and farming a 220 breed to finish sow herd, processing all farm progeny as well as sourcing in additional Red Tractor UK pork. Fergus has grown the Wicks Manor brand since 1999 to become one of the leading family run field to fork processing business’ in the UK. Customers include UK retail and foodservice as well as international export markets. Fergus is an associate member of the AHDB pork sub-group for marketing, was Chair of Governors for Writtle University College until its merger in February, is Chair of Essex Agricultural Society and a member of the Worshipful Company of Butchers.
Forum: Inspiring Younger People To Eat Pork: What Do We Know About Consumers Of The Future And How Do We Reach Them?
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Gary Ford, Chief Executive, British Egg Industry Council
Gary is the Chief Executive of the British Egg Industry Council having succeeded Mark Williams in December 2023. Born into a Worcestershire farming family, managing dairy, arable and pigs, Ford has spent his working life in the agricultural sector. Starting his professional career at the NFU, he spent a total of 19 years with the organisation across two spells covering a variety of roles, including Chief Poultry Adviser. With ten years as an Agricultural Manager in the broiler sector in-between, Ford brings a passionate and supportive approach as well as a broad understanding of the requirements of BEIC members to his new role.
Forum: Egg Outlook – Helping You Plan Ahead
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Gemma Thwaites, Clinical Director, Garth Pig Practice.
Gemma is a clinical director at Garth Pig Practice Ltd, working solely within the pig sector. She works with a wide variety of farms and clients across the UK. A previous Pig Veterinary Society President, Welfare Group Chair and Red Tractor representative; she remains actively involved in the society and is the current British Veterinary Association Representative. She is also the veterinary representative on the National Pig Association PIG Board and sits on the NPA PIG board. Gemma has been working within multiple subgroups to develop the Pig Health and Welfare Pathway.
Forums: Animal Health And Welfare Pathway Policies For Pigs // Keeping Asf Out: What Does The Asf Contingency Plan Look Like And How Can You Play Your Part In Protecting The National Herd?
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Helen Ovens, Livestock Consultant, ADAS.
Helen is a consultant with 25 years wide-ranging experience of rural development and agriculture, focussing on supporting agricultural businesses through change, with a particular interest in livestock production systems. A farm carbon emissions BASIS qualified adviser, Helen is experienced in the identification of emissions sources and carbon reduction/mitigation action planning on farms in the UK. Helen has used a range of carbon footprinting tools to help farmers with action planning in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Current carbon work includes farm advice funded via the Future Farming Resilience Fund and supporting farms participating in the EU Climate Smart Farming programme. Trusted by growers and farmers for generations, ADAS is one of the most recognisable names in UK agriculture. Established over 75 years ago, ADAS delivers practical, sustainable land management and production system solutions. Clients include small and large farming enterprises, landowners, agricultural organisations, multi-national corporations, and government bodies. ADAS offers an extensive range of independent agricultural services at all levels along the food and land management supply chain. Work includes applied research to enhance farm productivity, on-farm advice to improve farm profitability as well as horizon scanning policy work for the food and government sectors on food security, resource protection and land management.
Forum: Reducing The Environmental Impact Of Pig Farming On Soil, Water And Slurry To Enhance Reputation
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Henry Gibbs, Free Range Egg Producer. (WED)
Henry is from Shropshire, and diversified the farm in 2019 to include a free-range laying unit, supplying eggs to a national packer as well as packing direct to local retailers and on-farm through their vending machines. Henry joined the NFU Poultry Industry Programme to meet like-minded people and develop his knowledge within the poultry sector. With poultry being such a fast-moving sector, and technology advancing quicker than ever, Henry sees on-farm innovation as crucial to remaining at the forefront of the industry.
Forum: Supporting Today’s Generation, Inspiring The Next
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Hugh Pocock, Director, Cultura Connect.
Hugh is the MD of a recruitment business, Cultura Connect - specialising in recruitment for the land based sectors. Born and raised on his grandparent’s dairy farm in Shropshire, a passion for agriculture was formed from Hugh’s early years. Heavily involved in Holstein Young Breeders in his youth, then going on to graduate from Harper Adams, Hugh pursued a career in cattle genetics and gained over 15 years experience in a variety of high level commercial roles. In 2016 Hugh signed an FBT, with his wife and two children, on a 100% grass-based farm near Whitchurch, Shropshire. Here they farm New Zealand Romney sheep, Australian Lowline Angus and Wagyu cattle. Sustainability and working closely with nature is their farming philosophy, managing the farm with multiple stewardship initiatives. Hugh is passionate about nurturing and developing talent in the agricultural industry and having the opportunity to work with a multitude of businesses across the sector gives him a unique insight to the challenges of building and retaining high performing teams.
Forum: Seeding The Future: Strategies For Next Generation Recruitment.
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Jake Davies, Editor, Poultry Network.
Jake is a journalist with more than a decade of experience in the commercial poultry sector and agriculture more broadly. He graduated with a degree in journalism from Leeds Beckett University in 2012 and worked for different farming publications before setting up Poultry.Network in 2019, a website and newsletter providing news, market insights and technical information for commercial poultry producers in the UK.
Forum: Sustainability Hub Pub Quiz
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James Baxter, BFREPA Chairman and Farmer
James Baxter farms 192,000 hens at Glenhead Farm with his family on the south-west tip of Scotland, supplying Noble Foods. He has embraced renewable energy with a significant investment in technology to dry hen manure while using the heat produced in the process to heat his poultry sheds. James is the Chairman of BFREPA and also sits on the BEIC board as Vice-Chairman.
Forum: Costings, Contracts And Fairness In The Egg Supply Chain – Bfrepa
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James Baxter, Free-range Egg Farmer, Glenhead Farm.
James Baxter farms 192,000 hens at Glenhead Farm with his family on the south-west tip of Scotland, supplying Noble Foods. He has embraced renewable energy with a significant investment in technology to dry hen manure while using the heat produced in the process to heat his poultry sheds.
Forum: Building The Future Of Livestock Protection: Biosecurity In Your Hands.
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James Dorman, Co-founder & Group CEO, 2050 Group
James is CEO of the 2050 Group. He has 13 years of experience developing bioenergy projects and a further 4 years in waste management. Hailing from a farming background with time spent on large broadacre farms in Australia and poultry farms in the UK. James and the team at 2050 Group have forged a strategy to better utilise the straw that is ordinarily returned to land at great cost to the arable farmer, into a source of clean energy and a carrier of recycled nutrients from manures. James is a huge advocate of innovation agriculture solutions and strives to transition AG supply chains from linear to circular.
Forum: Straw Crumb – The Catalyst To Cleaning Up Agricultures Dirty Secret!
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Janet Hughes, Farming and Countryside Programme Director, DEFRA.
Janet is director of the farming reform programme in Defra, making farming policies and schemes work for farmers and delivering ambitious outcomes for food, farming and the environment. Janet has been in this role for 4 years. Before that she’s had a career in and around the public sector, leading teams to get difficult things done in ways that genuinely work for people including in education, health, the Government Digital Service and London city government.
Forum: Overview Of The Farming Offer In England – Defra
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Jason Gittins, Poultry Consultant, ADAS.
Jason Gittins heads the poultry consultancy group in ADAS and leads the work that ADAS does for BFREPA on free range and organic costs of production and average egg prices. During his career with ADAS, he has worked for a wide range of government departments and agencies, trade organisations, corporate companies and individual poultry farmers. He has worked in several different countries and also leads the ADAS delivery of poultry valuation tables that are used by APHA to determine compensation for birds killed to control the spread of some animal diseases.
Forum: Costings, Contracts And Fairness In The Egg Supply Chain – Bfrepa
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Jim Moseley, CEO, Red Tractor (WED)
Jim has spent his whole career in the Food & Drink Industry and since 2017 has been the Chief Executive of Red Tractor. He held senior positions with FMC (Meat) Ltd and Wander Foods before being appointed Sales & Marketing Director at Tulip International, where he spent 14 years. He was then appointed Managing Director of General Mills for the UK, Ireland and Nordic region, managing a substantial portfolio of world-leading food businesses including Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and Nature Valley. Jim has also served as Chairman of The Provision Trade Federation, the President of the Food & Drink Federation, is a member of the Trade & Agriculture Commission and assists with the Food Drink Export Council.
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John Powell, Head of Agricultural Sectors team, DEFRA.
John Powell is Head of Agriculture Sectors Team in Defra a post he has held since March 2020. He joined MAFF in 1983 and until 1999 worked in various advisory and policy leadership roles. From 1999- 2017 he worked as an advisor to over 15 EU candidate countries on the establishment of EU agricultural policies and institutions. He re-joined DEFRA in 2017, and has worked on future farming policy, EU Exit and the Environmental Land Management schemes.
Forum: Costings, Contracts And Fairness In The Egg Supply Chain – Bfrepa
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Julian Marris, MD, Carbon Focus Engineering (CFE).
Jules is an accomplished engineer with over 25 years of experience spanning agriculture, Horticulture, Construction, Commercial sectors, and the built environment. For the past two decades, he has focused on renewable energy systems, particularly in PV, Wind, Solar Thermal, Biomass, and heat recovery technologies. Over the last 15 years, Jules has specialised in biomass and fuel sustainability, utilising a range of fuels including waste wood, cereal straw, miscanthus, pellets, manure, and wood chips. As a seasoned Company Director and co-owner of Carbon Focus Engineering Ltd (CFE), Jules demonstrates innovative leadership, fostering strong client relationships and embracing new technologies. CFE prioritises sustainability, the circular economy, and fuel security, integrating emerging technologies like pyrolysis and energy storage into their core values and operations. Jules' vision drives CFE's commitment to pioneering new ideas and sustainable practices across various sectors including Agriculture, Horticulture, Ministry of Defence, Industrial Manufacturing, Construction, Schools, and Hospitals.
Forum: Extracting Value From Poultry Manure And Agricultural Waste Streams – Pyrolysis – Biochar – Corcs – Heat/power Generation – Sustainability
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Julian Sparrey, Technical Director, Livetec Systems
Julian Sparrey is a Chartered Agricultural Engineer and a respected leader in agricultural biosecurity. Regularly working collaboratively with colleagues across the UK and Europe, Julian is widely renowned for his knowledge of exotic livestock diseases and the vital role true biosecurity plays in managing them. Having also worked in conjunction with government and top UK Veterinary Universities, and with industry experience of livestock slaughter systems and on-farm depopulation solutions, Julian will dive into the lessons we have learned from outbreaks of avian influenza, and unveil a new revolutionary digital platform designed to support the poultry and pig sectors, enhancing their preventative measures and preparedness for the threat of disease.
Forums: Building The Future Of Livestock Protection: Biosecurity In Your Hands. // Keeping Asf Out: What Does The Asf Contingency Plan Look Like And How Can You Play Your Part In Protecting The National Herd?
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Justin Coleman, Agri Business and Live Production Services Director, Moy Park (THURS)
Justin is responsible for the Agri Business operations including laying and rearing of grand parent, parent and broilers, hatcheries and our feedmills. Since joining the business in 2014 as Agriculture Development / Improvement Manager, Justin led the innovation and continuous improvement amongst Moy Park’s agriculture supply base by working with our Agri team, our customers and our farming community to deliver a sustainable, secure and best in class performance. In 2015 Justin became General Manager Agriculture Development, then in 2016 Director of Business Ballymena with leadership of the Ballymena Business Unit Improvement Team consisting of Commercial, Agriculture, Operations, Supply Chain and Finance. Justin has extensive international experience working with farmers supplying retail customers prior to joining Moy Park, as General Manager-Produce, East Africa with Finlay’s Horticulture Kenya Ltd.
Forum: Poultry Meat Outlook – Expert Insight For The Year Ahead
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Kate Abbey, Marketing Manager, AHDB. (THUR)
Kate is an experienced marketing professional with 20 years of industry experience across numerous industries including education, manufacturing and local government. As Marketing Manager within AHDB, Kate has played a pivotal role in strategic marketing initiatives, supporting the delivery of the key marketing campaigns for pork, managing the successful launch of the new Love Pork website and overseeing the always-on social media activity. Kate has been instrumental in driving the Gen-Z focused campaign for Love Pork, an initiative aimed at expanding the reach, awareness and engagement with the younger demographic of consumers (18-25 year olds). Collaborating with renowned foodie platform Tasty UK, Kate has developed a social media campaign designed to educate and inspire Gen-Z consumers, while encouraging them to consider fresh pork in their purchasing decisions.
Forum: Inspiring Younger People To Eat Pork: What Do We Know About Consumers Of The Future And How Do We Reach Them?
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Katie Jarvis, Senior Policy Advisor, National Pig Association. (THUR)
Katie joined the pig industry in late 2023 following a number of years working for the NFU, spending five years based in the Brussels office where she was responsible for lobbying on a range of policy areas at EU level including the pig sector, working closely with NPA during that time. Following a return to the UK in 2021 she worked closely with farmers in the South West across a range of farming and business issues. She joined the NPA in November 2023 as Senior Policy Advisor where she leads on health and welfare policy, working with members, industry and government to ensure the best outcomes for the pig industry.
Forum: Keeping Asf Out: What Does The Asf Contingency Plan Look Like And How Can You Play Your Part In Protecting The National Herd?
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Kelly Grellier, Interim Chief Operating Officer, RSPCA Assured
Interim Chief Operating Officer at RSPCA Assured, Kelly is responsible for the RSPCA Assured Certification function, the new Farm Engagement team, Welfare Outcomes team and the development of RSPCA Assured's future strategy. Kelly has worked across both the charity and commercial sectors and is passionate about animal welfare, also, having grown up on dairy and pig farms, cares about the engagement and support of farmers in the assurance process.
Forum: Farm Assurance Schemes – What The Future Holds For Eggs And Poultry
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Kelly Grellier, Interim Chief Operating Officer, RSPCA Assured (THURS)
Interim Chief Operating Officer at RSPCA Assured, Kelly is responsible for the RSPCA Assured Certification function, the new Farm Engagement team, Welfare Outcomes team and the development of RSPCA Assured's future strategy. Kelly has worked across both the charity and commercial sectors and is passionate about animal welfare, also, having grown up on dairy and pig farms, cares about the engagement and support of farmers in the assurance process.
Forum: Pig Farm Assurance Schemes – What The Future Holds
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Larry Kotch, CEO, Flybox.
Larry is the CEO of Flybox an Insect Farming Technology business that works with waste managers, farmers and food businesses to build easy to install insect farms. Flybox has several sites in the UK and East Africa. Larry has a background in software development and B2B technology with an environmental science and governance degree from Oxford University.
Forum: Insects Unleashed: Turn An Old Shed Into A Protein Factory
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Liz Warner, Farmer and Consultant. (THUR)
Liz has been involved in the poultry industry for over 16 years, currently farming in partnership with her husband on a tenanted farm in Devon, where for the last 10 years they have been producing duck eggs and quail eggs. Prior to this Liz worked for an egg packer, building up her knowledge base by working with their free-range egg producers. Liz participated in the NFU’s Poultry Industry Programme and following that joined the NFU’s Next Generation Forum before serving on the NFU Poultry Board between 2022 and 2024. Liz now works as a farming consultant alongside her farming enterprise, having left primary poultry production in 2023.
Forum: Supporting Today’s Generation, Inspiring The Next
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Lizzie Wilson, Chief Executive, National Pig Association.
Lizzie has worked in the UK pig industry for over 20 years and has a thorough grounding in practical pig production, as well as policy and legislation. She is responsible for supply chain engagement, liaising with members and government on environmental and sustainability policy areas and specialises in crisis management with regard to animal rights activism and anti-farming rhetoric.
Forum: Pig Farm Assurance Schemes – What The Future Holds
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Lizzie Wilson, Chief Executive, NPA (WED)
Lizzie has worked in the UK pig industry for over 20 years and has a thorough grounding in practical pig production, as well as policy and legislation. She is responsible for supply chain engagement, liaising with members and government on environmental and sustainability policy areas and specialises in crisis management with regard to animal rights activism and anti-farming rhetoric.
Forum: Keeping Asf Out: What Does The Asf Contingency Plan Look Like And How Can You Play Your Part In Protecting The National Herd?
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Mandy Nevel BSc BVetMed PGCert (Vet Ed) PhD MRCVS, AHDB
Mandy is a veterinary surgeon with over 35 years of livestock experience. She trained at the University of Leeds and the University of London (Royal Veterinary College), and spent a year, post-doctoral, at the University of Saskatchewan before returning to the UK to work with Pfizer Global Animal Health. Mandy joined AHDB in 2017 to lead the Pork Research and Development team and became Head of Animal Health and Welfare in 2019. The team provides expertise, evidence and support for animal health and welfare across the Dairy, Pork, and Beef & Lamb sectors.
Forum: Keeping Asf Out: What Does The Asf Contingency Plan Look Like And How Can You Play Your Part In Protecting The National Herd?
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Mark Haighton, Pig Procurement, Karro Food Group.
Mark has worked in the UK pig processing sector since 1998 when he started at Geo Adams & Sons Ltd in Spalding, initially as a livestock buyer, before the company was bought out by Tulip and subsequently Pilgrim’s UK. Since January 2024 he has been part of the Sofina Foods Pig Procurement team, based in Malton, North Yorks. Throughout his 26yr career in the industry, Mark has worked across the entire supply chain working closely with farmers, processing factories and discerning retailers to drive the quality and sales of British pork and to promote its reputation both in the UK and overseas. Between 2010 & 2023 Mark sat on the Red Tractor Pig Sector board and has recently finished his 6 year term on the AHDB Pig Sector council helping to represent the interests of the UK processor and producer in the ever-changing world of legislative and consumer requirements.
Forum: Pig Outlook – Predictions For The Year Ahead
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Mark Kempsell, Agricultural Specialist, Coop. (WED)
Forum: Pig Outlook – Predictions For The Year Ahead
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Mark Williams, Chairman, British Egg Industry Council
Mark Williams is a poultry farmer’s son. In 1991, he joined the National Farmers’ Union as a Regional Poultry Adviser in the north of England. In 1995, he was appointed National Egg Specialist. He joined the British Egg Industry Council in 1999 and became Chief Executive in 2000. He was Secretary-General of EUWEP (the EU trade association for egg packers, egg traders and egg processors) from 1999-2018. He was President of the EU Civil Dialogue Group on Poultry and Eggs on two occasions (2010-12 and 2016-18). He was a Board member of CELCAA (the EU liaison committee for the food trade) from 1999-2018. He is also a Nuffield Scholar, and was Chairman of the Nuffield Poultry Study Group from May 2012 – May 2015. He was also a Statistical Adviser to the International Egg Commission from 1996 – 2006.
Forum: Farm Assurance Schemes – What The Future Holds For Eggs And Poultry
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Matt Donald, Pig & Poultry Farmer. (WED)
Matt is a third-generation pig and poultry farmer form North Yorkshire whose family have had broiler breeders producing fertile hatching eggs for over 60 years. As a member of the NFU national poultry board and a former NFU Poultry Industry Programme participant, Matt is keen to get more young people involved with poultry and farms with the aim to produce more from less, alongside enhancing the local environment. The poultry sector's resilience, aiming to maintain its environmentally sustainable credentials and producing safe and affordable food for everyone are some of the things Matt sees as key priorities for the sector.
Forum: Supporting Today’s Generation, Inspiring The Next
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Michael McCreesh, Veterinary Consultant, SenseHub Poultry.
Michael studied veterinary medicine at Liverpool University and then worked in veterinary practice for over seven years, before joining MSD Animal Health as a poultry business unit associate director. His most recent role is veterinary consultant at SenseHub Poultry, which involves working with all areas of the poultry supply chain from integrators through to farmers and large contract growers. He aims to transform broiler welfare and productivity, and supply chain traceability and transparency.
Forum: Enhancing Broiler Welfare And Performance Through Real-time Monitoring.
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Neil Scott, Head of Certification, RSPCA Assured (WED)
Neil works with both the Field and Operations teams at RSPCA Assured, ensuring they are able to support their members with a fair and consistent approach to assessments while maintaining the integrity of the certification mark for all who use it in the supply chains. Neil has also worked in the retail sector for many years prior to joining RSPCA Assured, including with one of the UK's largest food retailers.
Forum: Pig Farm Assurance Schemes – What The Future Holds
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Nick Munce, Commercial Lead, SenseHub Poultry.
Nick has over 20 years’ experience of working with multiple livestock sectors and was formerly head of the pig and poultry business units at MSD Animal Health UK. He joined the SenseHub Poultry team in 2021 as the commercial lead, following his passion for transforming poultry production through the use of real-time monitoring technology and data driven insights.
Forum: Enhancing Broiler Welfare And Performance Through Real-time Monitoring.
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Nicola Dodd, Senior Marketing Manager (Pork & Dairy) Domestic Marketing, AHDB. (WED)
Nic has worked for the AHDB domestic marketing team for 15 years, starting within Eblex on activities for Beef & Lamb. Her current role sits in the Pork and Dairy sectors. She has worked across each sector and been involved in a wide range of effective marketing activities targeting different audiences, across a variety of channels, generating campaigns and content that has driven positive change.
Forum: Inspiring Younger People To Eat Pork: What Do We Know About Consumers Of The Future And How Do We Reach Them?
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Paul Flynn, East Durham College. (THUR)
Based at East Durham College farm, Paul together with Farm Manager Keith Cook and his team are pursuing high animal welfare and sustainability goals, producing pigs on a home-fed, three-week system. Around 200 students work alongside the farm and teaching staff. The college enjoys visits each week from the farming industry, the wider education sector, local and regional groups. The unit was recently featured by Pig World Magazine: ‘Inspiring and Educating the Next Generation.’ This is a research-ready resource for anyone wanting to improve pig production and a template for anyone wanting to start a pig unit as part of an integrated farm.
Forum: Inspiring Younger People To Eat Pork: What Do We Know About Consumers Of The Future And How Do We Reach Them?
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Philipp Reichardtt, Sales Manager, Pyreg.
Forum: Extracting Value From Poultry Manure And Agricultural Waste Streams – Pyrolysis – Biochar – Corcs – Heat/power Generation – Sustainability
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Philippa Wiltshire, Head of Operations, Red Tractor.
Philippa has been involved in farm assurance for over 25 years leading FABBL the national beef and lamb farm assurance scheme at the end of the 1990's. She has been involved in Red Tractor since it's inception and now leads the Red Tractor technical teams responsible for setting standards, ensuring assessment and certification is delivered efficiently and licensing the use of the logo on food. She also leads stakeholder and enforcement body liaison and manages the six sector boards. Philippa’s role oversees Red Tractor data and electronic services and making sure they meet the needs of RTA, members, and the wider industry.
Forum: Farm Assurance Schemes – What The Future Holds For Eggs And Poultry
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Prof. John Gilliland, Special Advisor, AHDB. (THUR)
Recently appointed as a special advisor at AHDB and to Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), John Gilliland, is a willow and livestock farmer from N. Ireland, whose farm has independently been verified to be “Beyond” Net Zero, today. He is also the Professor of Practice in Agriculture and Sustainability at Queens University Belfast; and chair of the innovative, EIP-Agri funded, farmer led, carbon farming project, ARC Zero. He has been an award winning farmer in Ireland; President of the Ulster Farmers Union; a Non Executive Director of the Scottish Rural College (SRUC), and an Energy Regulator in N. Ireland; while at the same time, he has been a policy adviser for Devolved, National and European Governments on Biotechnology, Climate Change and Sustainability. In particular, for seven years, John chaired the UK’s Rural Climate Change Forum, reporting directly to the Secretary of State of DEFRA, London, and supporting the UK at COP15 in Copenhagen. While Director of SRUC in Edinburgh, he helped set up their very successful Carbon Management Centre. For seven years as Director of Agriculture and Sustainability of the Irish livestock nutrition company, Devenish, John led the development of the their research farm, the Lands at Dowth, transforming it into both a Lighthouse Farm for WUR’s (Wageningen University & Research) Global Network of Lighthouse Farms, and a Living Lab, in a project called Heartland, with five PhD students, in partnership with WUR and UCD, and funded by the EU’s Marie Curie Programme.
Forum: Reducing The Environmental Impact Of Pig Farming On Soil, Water And Slurry To Enhance Reputation
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Rebecca Tonks, Founder, St. Ewe Free Range Eggs.
Forum: Egg Outlook – Helping You Plan Ahead
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Rob McGregor, Innovative Outdoor Pig Farmer, LSB Pigs.
Rob McGregor is the farm manager at LSB pigs running two outdoor breeding units in North Norfolk. In 2019 he was named Manager of the year at the National Pig Awards and in 2022 Farm Manager of the year by Farmers Weekly. Rob has had a lifelong agenda to improve the welfare of farm animals and the lives of those that work with them. He has 44 years of livestock experience, 36 years of farm management experience and has work for LSB pigs since 1995. When he's not farming he finds time to write in Farmers Weekly, run a couple of busy social media accounts and help a leading pig equipment supplier with product design and development.
Forums: Seeding The Future: Strategies For Next Generation Recruitment. // Reducing The Environmental Impact Of Pig Farming On Soil, Water And Slurry To Enhance Reputation
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Robert Gooch, CEO, British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA)
Robert joined BFREPA as Director of Policy in 2011 and was appointed Chief Executive in 2014. Prior to that he worked in agricultural policy consultancy, including ten years as a lobbyist and analyst in Brussels. He is a farmer’s son and has degrees in agricultural science, agricultural economics and in business administration.
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Robert Mutimer, National Pig Association
Robert Mutimer is Chair of the National Pig Association. He and his wife Helen currently run 750 outdoor sows with indoor straw based finishing, producing pigs for the Waitrose supply chain. They have developed Swannington Farm to Fork, a wholesale and retail butchery business, with two shops and 200 wholesale customers in Norfolk and North Suffolk.
Forum: Pig Outlook – Predictions For The Year Ahead
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Roz Reynolds, Head of Strategic Operations, Education and Nutrition, AHDB.
Roz is a qualified marketer, with extensive experience of delivering marketing campaigns and strategic projects. She started her career in the meat industry and joined AHDB in the Cereals & Oilseeds sector where she led activity for marketing, exports, and key supply chain projects. Since 2018, Roz has led AHDB’s education activities, establishing partnerships to jointly deliver impactful programmes designed to educate the next generation of consumers.
Forum: Inspiring Younger People To Eat Pork: What Do We Know About Consumers Of The Future And How Do We Reach Them?
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Ruth Edge, Sustainability Manager, KFC.
Ruth Edge recently been appointed as Head of Sustainability at KFC. Ruth Edge has over 15 years experience with a wealth of experience spanning the food and agricultural industry. Over this time Ruth has held pivotal roles in organizations such as Tesco, ABP and the National Farmers Union, honing her expertise and commitment to driving positive change. Throughout her career, Ruth has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to bringing together diverse stakeholders across the supply chain to effect meaningful improvements in welfare, environmental sustainability, and producer livelihoods.
Forum: Poultry Meat Outlook – Expert Insight For The Year Ahead
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Stewart Houston, Pig Sector Lead, AHWP
Stewart was a non-executive member of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) for 10 years, specialising in animal health and welfare, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and the EU Animal Health Law. He was a leading figure for many years at The National Pig Association (NPA) and a former BPEX (now AHDB Pigs) chair (2003 to 2015). Stewart is a current member of the Assured Food Standards Board and remains heavily involved in codesigning the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, chairing Defra’s Steering, Communications and Engagement, PRRS and Pig Pathway Project Groups.
Forum: Animal Health And Welfare Pathway Policies For Pigs
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Stewart Houston, Red Tractor
Stewart was a non-executive member of the Animal Health and Welfare board for England (AHWBE) for 10 years, specialising in animal health and welfare, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and the EU Animal Health Law. For many years he was a leading figure at the National Pig Association (NPA) and a former BPEX (now AHDB Pigs) chair from 2003 to 2015.
Forums: Animal Health And Welfare Pathway Policies For Pigs // Pig Farm Assurance Schemes – What The Future Holds
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Tess Howe. Head of Policy & Partnerships, TIAH.
Tess is responsible for the development of the TIAH Membership, including the products and services to ensure the industry has relevant and accessible CPD to help people achieve their full potential. After graduating with a degree in Agriculture from the University of Newcastle, Tess has worked in the agriculture and horticulture industry for more than 20 years, predominantly in livestock but also in the arable and horticultural sectors. After roles with the Humane Slaughter Association, BPEX (later to become AHDB Pork), in 2012, Tess progressed into the role of AHDB’s Senior Skills Manager. In this post, Tess led the pivotal Skills Task Force for the Food & Drink Sector Council’s Agricultural Productivity Working Group. This included development of the strategic case and business plan for a proposed new professional body, which led to the formation of TIAH and her move into her current role.
Forum: Seeding The Future: Strategies For Next Generation Recruitment.
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Tess Wright, Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grants Policy Lead, DEFRA.
Tess Wright leads the Defra policy team responsible for developing animal health and welfare (AHW) infrastructure grants, which are part of Defra’s AHW Pathway and delivered through the Farming Investment Fund. Tess works with farmers, vets and other industry experts to co-design AHW grants, including the Calf Housing for Health and Welfare Grant which launched in 2023.
Forum: Animal Health And Welfare Pathway Policies For Poultry And Eggs
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The Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP Minister of State (Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries), DEFRA.
Mark Spencer was appointed Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 September 2022. He was previously Lord President and Leader of the House of Commons, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip) before that. Mark and his family run a family farm business which now employs around 50 local people, growing produce which is sold in the farm shop. Before entering Parliament, Mark was Chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs as well as a District and County Councillor.
Forums: Defra Farming Minister Mark Spencer *in Poultry Theatre* // Defra Farming Minister Mark Spencer
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Thomas Farrugia, CEO, Beta Bugs.
Thomas is CEO at Beta Bugs, is a leader and entrepreneur in the insect farming sector. He founded Beta Bugs after spotting the opportunity for improved genetics to accelerate the growth of the insect farming industry. To do so, he established an industry-first nucleus population and selective breeding programme for Black Soldier Fly adjacent to the Roslin Institute, world leader in animal genetics, and then deployed the UK’s first dedicated Black Soldier Fly egg production facility to supply commercial-scale orders to existing and new insect farmers.
Forum: Insects Unleashed: Turn An Old Shed Into A Protein Factory
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Tom Glen, Poultry Advisor, NFU. (WED)
Tom isn’t originally from an agricultural background and started working in the poultry sector in 2015, when he joined the ABN poultry team as a technical adviser after a year on AB Agri's commercial nutrition graduate scheme. His role involved supporting customers and colleagues with analysing on-farm performance data and providing insights to poultry producers. In 2017 Tom moved into a commercial role, managing ABN's largest poultry feed account. He also participated in the NFU Poultry Industry Programme, expanding his knowledge of the supply chain and giving him an initial insight into the world of food policy. Tom moved to the NFU as poultry adviser in 2020, where he promotes the interests of poultry meat and egg producers and works with government and other key stakeholders to shape future policy affecting the poultry sector.
Forum: Supporting Today’s Generation, Inspiring The Next
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Will Lea, Country Fresh Pullets (THUR)
In addition to being a free-range producer, Will works for Country Fresh Pullets as production and compliance manager, rearing more than eight million pullets annually and ensuring compliance across their contract laying group. Being a previous participant of the Poultry Industry Programme has led Will's interest in the NFU and he joined the national board in 2022. As a motivated farmer, Will wants to engage with fellow members to ensure the industry's best interests are put forward.
Forum: Supporting Today’s Generation, Inspiring The Next
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Will Raw, Poultry Producer.
Will operates a family run mixed farm in North Yorkshire, which consists of 250 acres of combinable crops and 230,000 broilers, supplying the independent market growing for Chesterfield Poultry. Will is the vice chair of the NFUs National Poultry board. He also sits on the Red Tractor Technical advisory committee for poultry and DEFRA’s animal health and welfare technical steering group.
Forum: Poultry Meat Outlook – Expert Insight For The Year Ahead
