Catherine Smith will take over the position from Kevin Roberts on April 1
Food business consultant Catherine Smith has been announced as the new chairwoman of Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC), taking over from incumbent chair Kevin Roberts on April 1.
Ms Smith has been a board member of HCC since 2017. She will be the first woman to take the role since HCC's formation in 2003.
As a food business consultant, Ms Smith has over 20 years experience in the red meat sector in procurement, processing and manufacturing.
Farming
She is also a farmer's daughter and wife, who lives with her husband and three children on a mixed farm in Monmouthshire.
The appointment was announced today by Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs.
Ms Griffiths said she brought a ‘wealth of experience to the role'.
"I am very pleased to be able to announce Catherine as the incoming Chair, particularly given she will be the first woman to come into the role - and I hope her appointment reflects wider trends in business across Wales, especially within the agricultural sector.
"She comes into the role at an especially difficult time, with the red meat sector responding both to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the complexity brought about as a result of the recent end of the EU transition period."
Ms Smith said she was ‘very proud' to be appointed.
"My priority will be to deliver for our levy-payers; farmers and processors. This will mean building our red meat brands using inventive and effective marketing, helping our industry to be as profitable as possible, and aiming to lead the world in terms of quality and sustainability," she said.
"HCC has responded to the challenges of EU transition and the Covid-19 pandemic with flexibility, determination and innovation. Building on these strengths the organisation will continue to deliver on the priorities set out in Vision 2025 and support the industry to build its profitability and resilience whilst working closely with Welsh Government and all stakeholders within the supply chain."
Kevin Roberts, outgoing Chair, said: "The past few years have certainly had their challenges from issues outside our control.
"I'm proud of the way HCC has responded, growing exports of Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef significantly despite the uncertainty of Brexit, and playing its part in driving a major growth in domestic retail sales to help both farmers and consumers during the COVID pandemic.
"This has come about with the help of a lot of hard work from Gwyn Howells and his team of staff.
"I wish Catherine well in taking over as Chair during the next exciting period for our sector. Some uncertainties remain, but as we look to the future our brands are very strong; we're offering what consumers want - high-quality food, traceable right back to the farm, and world-leading credentials in terms of environmental and welfare standards."
