ADHB Potatoes Welcomes New Sector Board Members

The ADHB Potatoes board has welcomed three new members: Jim Cargill, an Aberdeenshire-based grower, Chris Wilson, a Somerset-based grower and Alison Levett, who came on board as an independent member.

The new appointments became effective as of April 1 and span across three years. Jim Cargill is based at Coldstream Farm and is a second-generation farmer. He produces seed potatoes and grows potato varieties such as Cara, Atlantic, and Burren for export. Cargill also delivers to the domestic market in Gemson and Markies.

As for Chris Wilson, he is at the helm of AHDB’s Strategic Potato Farm South West and also runs a 1,000-hectare estate at Dillington Farm, Somerset. Moreover, he holds a number of board and committee roles including chairman of the Branston Potato Producer Group and is a member of the Tesco Sustainable Farming Group potato panel.

Last not least, Alison Levett has had a long career in the food and drink industry, including 17 years in leadership positions for both corporate and private equity-backed firms such as the UK and Ireland MD for Campbell’s Grocery Products. Currently, Levett is building a portfolio of board and advisory roles including Non Executive Director at Roys of Wroxham.

The new board members will replace Herefordshire grower Bill Quan, Alistair Redpath, chief executive of Cygnet Potato Breeders Ltd., and Cornwall-based grower Reuben Collins.

“I’m delighted to welcome our three new members to the AHDB Potatoes sector board. They bring a wealth of experience at a crucial time in British agriculture and I’m looking forward to working with each of them in the coming years,” said Sophie Churchill, board chair for AHDB.