AIC appoints Harriet Trewin as Head of Fertiliser
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has appointed Harriet Trewin PhD as its new Head of Fertiliser, succeeding Jo Gilbertson, who will retire in September following many years of service to AIC and its Members.
Harriet joins AIC from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), where she was Food System Transformation Programme Lead for Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), leading work to strengthen greenhouse gas data and accelerate emissions reductions across the food supply chain.
Prior to this, she served as Head of Bioscience for Sustainable Agriculture and Food at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), overseeing research spanning plant and animal science, soil health, net zero agriculture, nutrition, food safety and precision agriculture. Harriet holds a PhD in plant science and began her career in plant breeding, developing vegetable varieties with enhanced traits and nutritional quality.
In her new role, Harriet will lead AIC's fertiliser policy, regulatory and stewardship work, supporting Members across the agricultural supply chain on key technical, environmental and legislative developments.
Harriet Trewin said: “I am delighted to be joining AIC and working with Members across the agricultural supply chain. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about bringing together science, innovation and practical solutions to address some of the sector's biggest challenges. I look forward to supporting Members on the issues that matter most to them, while helping to ensure the fertiliser sector continues to play a key role in delivering productive, resilient and sustainable farming systems.”
Robert Sheasby, AIC Chief Executive, said: "We are pleased to welcome Harriet Trewin to AIC. Harriet brings a wealth of scientific, policy and sustainability expertise, with extensive experience spanning agricultural research, food systems transformation and greenhouse gas emissions. Her background at WRAP and UKRI will be a tremendous asset to AIC Members, helping ensure they are well supported as they navigate an evolving policy, regulatory and sustainability landscape.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Jo Gilbertson for his outstanding contribution to AIC, our Members and the wider fertiliser sector. Jo has been a highly respected voice across the industry, and we are grateful for his dedication over many years. Harriet joins AIC at an important time for UK agriculture, and we look forward to building on Jo's strong legacy as we continue to support Members through a period of significant change and opportunity."
ENDS
About AIC
As the UK agricultural supply industry's leading trade association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) represents businesses in key sectors within the supply chains that feed the nation.
Its Member businesses supply UK farmers and growers with the animal feed, fertiliser, seed, crop protection products, trusted advice and quality services that are essential to producing food, as well as trading crops and commodities across the globe.
Formed in October 2003 by a merger of three trade associations, today AIC has over 230 Members in the agri-supply trade and represents £17.8 billion* turnover at farmgate.
AIC works on behalf of its Members by lobbying policymakers and stakeholders, delivering information, providing trade assurance schemes, and offering technical support.
AIC Services manages a range of services, including Trade Assurance Schemes and professional registers recognised by the UK Government as essential means to underpin feed and food safety alongside fertiliser security.
These schemes and professional registers include:
- Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)
- Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
- Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS)
- European Seed Treatment Assurance (ESTA)
- Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS)
- Feed Adviser Register (FAR)
- Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
- Forage Assurance Scheme (FAA)
- AIC Services Palm Oil Credit Scheme (APOCS)
*According to a 2023 survey of AIC Members.
Press Contact
Wendy Ford, Communications Manager, AIC
+44 (0)1733 385230
[email protected]
Author
Wendy Ford
Wendy Ford is Communications Manager at AIC, creating and overseeing the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media.
