The Task Force will be co-chaired by Justin King, Chief Executive, Sainsbury’s, and Professor Quintin McKellar, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire and formerly Principal of the Royal Veterinary College. Along with expert colleagues drawn from across industry, politics and academia, this group will focus on the following question: How do we ensure that universities are able to provide the high-quality intellectual and innovative graduates and research the UK needs to contribute to a highly competitive food industry?

The Task Force’s ambition is to secure a clear and strategic alignment between the UK Government’s and devolved administrations’ industrial strategies and world-class business-university collaboration in the food sector.

Justin King, Chief Executive, Sainsbury’s said: "The agri-food sector is one of the most important industries in the UK which is why it is important to plan for the future now. Last week Sainsbury's proudly launched a graduate scheme dedicated to British agriculture, which adds to the 80 graduate placements we've offered in just the last five years. But we need to continue to attract and develop young talent and back up new technologies. This will ensure we continue to provide quality food produced to the high standards that customers rightly expect. I am delighted to co-chair this Task Force which will help address this challenge."

“Profitable and sustainable Agriculture and food industries are vital to the UK and they must be resilient to extremes of weather and other disrupting events. These industries require innovative graduates and ground breaking research to remain competitive and responsive; this initiative will support that agenda.” added Professor Quintin McKellar, Vice Chancellor, University of Hertfordshire and co-chair of the Task Force.

Dr David Docherty, CEO of the NCUB, said: “Industry and higher education must unite to tackle the challenges of creating and sustaining a world-leading food sector, and this powerful Task Force will make a major contribution to economic development in the sector.”

George Freeman MP, Life Science Adviser to the Government and Chair of the All Party Group for Science and Technology in Agriculture, added: "The UK's world leading food industry and globally renowned science research base have a unique opportunity to work together, with the Government's help, to reach new emerging markets. I welcome the establishment of this Task Force in response to the Government's new Agri-Tech Strategy and the work it will do to ensure the UK's expertise in the food sector remains revolutionary."