The AHDB is a Defra sponsored Non Departmental Public Body, 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 352,000 per annum (on the basis of a time input of two days per week). Reasonable travel expenses are also paid.

NFU President Peter Kendall said: “I am pleased to see the appointment of John Godfrey; a farmer and himself a levy-payer in charge of AHBD.

“I believe the new chairman will need to be resolute in driving forward a culture of delivery for the AHDB. It needs to show farmers that it is an organisation that is effective and efficient; one that listens to and acts on the demands of its levy payers. Above all farmers want to see value for money from their contributions and it is important that the new chairman ensures that this ethos is at the heart of the AHDB.

“The AHDB has a key role to play in contributing to industry competitiveness and profitability. It has to take the lead in addressing a number of the core issues for the industry not least research and development, as well as helping farmers and growers to respond to some of the wider societal and environmental concerns.“