BPEX takes on new board members

The two, who take up their positions immediately, are Alastair Butler, from Blythburgh Free Range Pork in Suffolk and Ian Smith, Director of Farming for Bedfordia Farms.

 

Alastair Butler graduated from Writtle Agricultural College in 2002 with a degree in Marketing and Supply Chain Management.

 

Following a supply chain role with Dalehead foods, he pursued a career in sales working with food items such as potato products, canapés and quiches.  Having also held an operational role at TuckBox Ltd he moved back to the family pig business, Blythburgh Free Range Pork which runs 2000 sows outdoors in Suffolk finishing all progeny free range.

 

His current role is to control all marketing and sales activity and grow the Blythburgh brand.

Mr Butler said: “As a BPEX board member I hope to use my marketing and food sales knowledge to the advantage of the whole pig industry and as an active member of the young NPA I hope to bring a fresh perspective.”

 

Ian Smith is Managing Director of Bedfordia Farms with 1,100 indoor sows through to finishers, arable and grain storage.

 

He was born and raised on a farm in East Yorkshire and educated at Newcastle University gaining a degree in Agriculture. Since graduating he has worked in a number of management positions for farming businesses covering a diverse range of enterprises.

 

Ian Smith is Managing Director of Bedfordia Farms with 1,100 indoor sows through to finishers, arable and grain storage. Born and raised on a farm in East Yorkshire, he was educated at Newcastle University and gained a degree in Agriculture. Since graduating he worked in a number of management positions for farming businesses covering diverse range of enterprises.

 

Mr Smith said: “I am looking forward to working on the BPEX Board. Pig producers are all focused on the current situation of high feed prices with relatively low pig price and making sure that the buyers of pig meat understand the perilous situation of the English pig meat supply chain.

 

“I am looking forward to helping to ensuring BPEX is best placed to deliver the information and practical advice that producers need to challenge their current practices and methods to ensure we all have a long term future.”

 

BPEX Chairman Stewart Houston said: “I would like to welcome them both to the board and know the skill and experience they will bring will help the industry in these challenging times.”

 

Following his appointment as Chairman of AHDB, John Godfrey has resigned from the BPEX Board.

Mr Houston paid tribute to Mr Godfrey and said: “I would like to thank him for all his hard work and wish him well in his new position.”