Graham Wilkinson is to stand down as CEO of AHDB towards the end of 2025, AHDB has announced.
Wilkinson joined AHDB in March 2024 and will now move to Sofina Foods as group agriculture director, where he joins former Arla colleague and current CEO of Sofina Foods Europe, Ash Amirahmadi.
He will leave his post towards the end of the year.
“I am extremely proud of the team and what we have achieved together on behalf of levy payers,” said Wilkinson. “The organisation is energised with a new vision and strategy that is laser-focused on delivering value.”
He nodded to the industry body’s “groundbreaking” baselining project, which “will bring clarity to the role that our industry plays in benefiting the environment” as a key success of his tenure.
“We have also seen another very strong year for exports and have ramped up our marketing to promote red meat and dairy to the next generation,” he said. ”Our cereals and oilseeds research and development programme is also growing to provide ever-important independent evidence and insight for farmers.”
Wilkinson emphasised that for now “it’s business as usual” and with his leadership team he would continue to “deliver the ambitious plans that we have set out for levy payers”.
“Whilst the board and I are naturally disappointed that Graham will be leaving AHDB, it is clear the organisation is well placed to continue delivering real benefit for levy payers,” said outgoing AHDB chair Nicholas Saphir. “Graham has driven significant and beneficial progress within AHDB, helping to deliver for its levy payers at a time of significant change for our industry.”
Wilkinson was respected in the position and industry body AIMS has said the announcement has come “as a shock to us all”.
“During Graham’s short tenure we found him to highly approachable and willing to take on board our processor levy payers views,” said a statement from the body. ”AHDB functions best when it has a CEO that truly leads. The quality of the work and support given to AIMS over the last couple of years has demonstrated to us what a well-motivated team Graham has built, and we thank him for his hard work and we wish him the very best of luck for his next challenge.”
Earlier this week, AHDB announced Emily Norton would be taking on the role of chair of AHDB from 1 June for three years.
Appointments to the AHDB board are made by Defra ministers, with the approval of ministers in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments.
Norton, who has 25 years of experience in the food and farming sector, will be supported by board member Stephen Briggs, who has been appointed as deputy chair.
“With the arrival of Emily Norton as the new chair, and a strong leadership team in place, AHDB will continue the momentum that it has built whilst a successor is sought,” said Saphir.
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