As Allan Stevenson steps down after five years as Chair of Potato Council and member of the AHDB Board, David Piccaver, a leafy salad producer from South Lincolnshire enthusiastically takes on this challenging and exciting role.

“I am pleased to have been appointed chairman of Potato Council. I have been a potato grower for most of my working life and have gained much experience from my time in the industry, as a grower, director of a packer company and a British Potato Council member for 6 years,” David commented.

“There are a number of key challenges facing the industry going forward like the need to achieve a better income stream for levy payers particularly after what has been the most atrocious potato growing season. With R&D, there is a need to find real sustainable solutions to Blight Control, PCN and the use of CIPC. I look forward to working with the Council members and the management team of the Potato Council.”

Along with David, four new faces have joined the board bringing refreshed skills and expertise:-

ALISTAIR REDPATH, Chief Executive of Pseedco Ltd, Perthshire, Scotland brings with him a wealth of experience in the seed sector and has served as President of the Scottish Potato Trade Association, now part of the British Potato Trade Association and chaired the Scottish Society of Crop Research.

EDWARD LINDLEY, from Driffield, East Yorkshire grows 450 acres of potato seed and 180 acres of maincrop alongside carrots, cereals and chickens. Edward is a director of the farmer co-operative Whole Crop Marketing.

BRUCE KERR from East Suffolk, is a Director of William Kerr (Farms) Ltd. Where he is responsible for the arable production on a range of soils from blowing sands to heavy clay. His cropping includes combinables, as well as vining Peas, Sugar Beet and Asparagus. His Potatoes are grown for both the Early Processing Market and Loose Skin Maris Peer are produced for the retail market from early June until October. All are marketed through Arundel Kerr Produce Ltd (AKP) a marketing business founded jointly by Bruce in 1999 which is based in North Lincolnshire.

DAN HEWITT, MD of North Norfolk Potato Growers and Nelson County Potatoes is responsible for technical and marketing interests for the two groups supplying over 50 000 tonnes largely into the processing sector. This follows a career in the RAF and Oil and Gas exploration. Dan joined the Board in November last year.

Thanking the departing members Rob Doig, Duncan Worth and Graham Nichols along with Chairman Allan Stevenson, Rob Clayton, director of Potato Council said "it has been a privilege to work with such knowledgeable and energetic individuals, especially at a time when Potato Council was finding its feet within AHDB."He added “it is fantastic that we are able to find new, enthusiastic members who are willing to engage with other levy payers, take stock of their needs and keep our strategies on track”.

Source: Potato Council