Ash Amirahmadi and Chelsea Pensioner Mary Johnston

Amirahmadi and Chelsea Pensioner Mary Johnston cut the ceremonial cheese at this year’s Christmas Cheese event

Ash Amirahmadi, Arla UK’s senior vice president of sales, has been elected chairman of the Dairy Council.

His appointment was announced by the Dairy Council today (7 December) at the annual Ceremony of Christmas Cheeses, held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. He succeeds Müller Milk and Ingredients’ business and relationship director Sandy Wilkie, who spent seven years in the role.

An Arla UK business employee since 2004, Amirahmadi worked in commercial roles before joining the dairy co-op’s leadership team in 2010, where he was responsible for overseeing the company’s relationship with farmers and helped build the corporate reputation of the firm.

He then briefly worked as marketing director, before taking charge of growing Arla’s business with UK customers earlier this year.

“It is a privilege to take on the role of chairman of this organisation, which has a proud record in communicating the many benefits of dairy,” Amirahmadi said.

“Dairy plays a crucial part in nutrition at all stages of life, however we are confronted all too often with negative and ill-informed criticism of dairy. It is therefore crucial that we at the Dairy Council continue to use our voice to demonstrate the outstanding nutritional contribution of dairy in leading a healthy lifestyle.”