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Appointment details

Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)

Summary

• Organisation: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
• Sponsor department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Location: West Midlands
• Sectors: Environment, Agriculture & Fishing
• Skills: Accountancy, Business, Change Management, Commercial, Communication, International Experience
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 104 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £58,000 per annum
• Length of term: Up to three years. A further appointment of up to three years may be made subject to satisfactory performance assessment and will be at the discretion of ministers
• Application deadline: 5pm on 13 December 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   18 November 2024

2. Application deadline

   5pm on 13 December 2024

3. Sifting date

   19 December 2024

4. Interviews expected to end on

   16 February 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

AHDB is seeking a new Chair.

The Agriculture & Horticulture Board (AHDB) is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Established in 2008 under the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Order 2008 it is funded through a statutory levy collected from farmers, growers and other parts of the agricultural supply chain across four sectors.

AHDB’s mission is to support these sectors in becoming more sustainable and competitive. It achieves this by delivering high value through strategic investment, transparency, and active industry engagement. Key activities include providing market intelligence, conducting research and development, facilitating market access, and promoting knowledge transfer initiatives that empower farmers and growers to succeed in an evolving landscape.

Appointment description

Role of the Board

The AHDB Board is responsible for the overall strategic direction and delivery of AHDB's goals. It consists of nine non-executive members, including the Chair, who bring sector expertise, geographical knowledge, and industry experience.

Role of the Chair

The Chair of AHDB plays a crucial role in steering the organisation and providing strategic direction. This role demands proven commercial, interpersonal, and strong leadership skills that will guide the Board, support the executive team, and shape AHDB’s strategic path.

Key responsibilities include:

• Setting strategic priorities by shaping Board discussions to encourage open debate, effective decision-making, and ensuring accountability in achieving business objectives, delivering outstanding value for AHDB levy payers. 

• Driving best practices by providing clear direction to enhance industry standards, building resilience, and preparing AHDB for future challenges. 

• Inspiring and leading the AHDB Board and senior staff, developing and refining AHDB’s strategy in response to evolving industry challenges, including policy reforms, global trade dynamics, and climate change. 

• Working with Board members, the CEO, and the Leadership Team to drive strategic initiatives, develop ambitious programmes addressing industry needs and Ministerial recommendations, and guide the identification of efficiencies and growth opportunities.  

• Ensuring Board committees are well-structured and supported, overseeing risk and opportunity management, and ensuring robust financial accountability and regulatory compliance.  

• Overseeing the Board’s composition to ensure it has the necessary skills and fosters an inclusive culture. Support succession planning for non-executive directors and key executives to maintain effectiveness and prepare for future needs.  

• Building and maintaining a supportive relationship with the Chief Executive and senior leadership team to ensure the effective operational management of the organisation.  

• Building and maintaining strong connections with all key stakeholders to boost AHDB’s influence and reputation.  

• Continuously engaging with levy payers to understand their challenges, enhancing interaction and awareness, and ensuring that they receive exceptional value for their investment.  

• Maintaining excellent working relations with all stakeholders including the UK Government through Defra, Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and sector stakeholders.

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• Commitment to excellence in governance, sound judgment, and unquestioned integrity.

• Proven ability to lead organisational transitions, manage risks, and drive business growth while maintaining high performance.

• Experience in supporting senior leadership teams and holding them accountable for effective outcomes.

• Strong skills in financial management and commercial strategy, with a record of achieving transformative results.

• Exceptional ability to engage stakeholders and cultivate complex partnerships across public and private sectors, leveraging strong interpersonal skills to connect with diverse partners and decision-makers, fostering effective communication, collaboration, and diplomacy.

• A strong interest in agriculture, farming, or food, demonstrated by expertise in one or more specific areas, along with a clear understanding of AHDB’s mission.

Application and selection process

Additional information for candidates

Attachments

• 1_ AHDB Chair Recruitment Candidate Pack

• 2_PAT Privacy Notice

• 3_Public Appointments Guidance Notes