New Sector Chairs Appointed to Agricultural Industries Confederation Board
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has announced a series of leadership changes across its Board and sector committees following its Annual General Meeting.
The appointments see four experienced industry leaders take on Major Sector Chair roles across AIC's key sectors, continuing to ensure the organisation's ability to represent the interests of agricultural supply businesses across the UK to Governments and stakeholders alike.
The changes are:
-
Alex Collingwood (ProCam UK) succeeds Ronan Hughes (Origin Enterprises plc) as Crop Protection and Agronomy Chair.
-
David Huish (J.E. & V.M. Dalton Limited) succeeds Toby Reich (Elsoms Group) as Seed Chair.
-
Christopher McCallum (Cefetra Ltd) succeeds Tom Wood (Robin Appel Ltd) as Combinable Crops Chair.
-
Lewis Diamond (CF Fertilisers UK Ltd) succeeds Robert Ingham (Glasson Grain Limited) as Fertiliser Chair.
These appointments took effect following AIC's Annual General Meeting on 7 October 2026.
The newly appointed Sector Chairs will join AIC's Board, contributing their expertise and helping shape the organisation's strategic direction as it continues to provide leadership, representation and support for Member businesses operating across the agricultural supply chain.
Commenting on the appointments, AIC Chief Executive Robert Sheasby said: "The strength of AIC lies in the expertise and commitment of the industry leaders who volunteer their time to represent Members and guide our work. Our Sector Chairs play a vital role in ensuring that AIC remains closely connected to the priorities of businesses operating across the agricultural supply chain.
I would like to thank Ronan, Toby, Tom and Robert for their leadership and contribution during their time as Sector Chairs. Their knowledge and dedication have helped shape AIC's work on behalf of Members and strengthened our engagement with government, regulators and industry stakeholders.
I am delighted to welcome Alex Collingwood, David Huish, Christopher McCallum and Lewis Diamond into these roles. Each brings valuable experience and insight, and I look forward to working with them as we continue to champion a productive, competitive and sustainable agricultural supply industry."
The appointments form part of a wider Board transition following the AGM, which also saw Ronan Hughes, Managing Director Ireland & UK Agriculture Division of Origin Enterprises plc appointed Chair of the AIC Board, succeeding Jonathan Lane of ADM Agriculture Ltd.
With more than 230 Member businesses, AIC represents the key agricultural supply sectors of Animal Feed, Combinable Crops, Crop Protection and Agronomy, Fertiliser and Seed, which together form an essential part of the UK's food and farming supply chain.
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.
