Poskitt elected to represent national horticulture sector

Mr Poskitt is a major supplier to supermarkets and produces more than 50,000 tonnes of carrots each year, as well as pumpkins, potatoes, swedes and parsnips.

He replaces Sarah Dawson, a Boston-based brassica grower, who has stepped down after five years in the role.

Mr Poskitt said: “I am looking forward to taking on the role as chairman and with it the many challenges facing the country’s growers; from ensuring the industry can adapt in a post-SAWS (Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme) world to changes that will affect us as a result of reforms to Common Agricultural Policy.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sarah Dawson for the great work she has done on behalf of the industry in her five years as chairman.”

Mrs Dawson added: “The time is right for fresh eyes, expertise and enthusiasm, to take the industry forward.”

In other changes, Richard Findlay, who farms at Westerdale near Whitby on the North York Moors, has been elected as the organisation’s sheep group chairman, while the NFU board has also welcomed the appointment of East Yorkshire farmer and brassica grower, Matthew Rawson.

Several new faces have been elevated to the national ranks of the farming union in recent weeks following a fresh round of elections which notably saw Meurig Raymond appointed president having formally assumed the role of deputy president to long-standing figurehead Peter Kendall. Mr Kendall stepped down as president after eight years in the top role in February.

There has been no change to another key seat. It was confirmed yesterday that Leicestershire sheep farmer Charles Sercombe has been unanimously re-elected chairman of the NFU’s national livestock board.

Mr Sercombe, who farms near Melton Mowbray, took over as chairman in 2012.