Emily Norton has been appointed by Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) ministers as the new Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Norton who has 25 years of experience in the food and farming sector, will take on the role for three years from June 1, 2025.
She will succeed Nicholas Saphir, who is stepping down after more than five years in the role.
Appointments to the AHDB Board are made by Defra ministers, with the approval of ministers in the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Ireland governments.
Norton will be supported by board member Stephen Briggs, who has been appointed as deputy chair.
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said: “Emily Norton’s leadership and extensive experience in a diverse range of sectors will bring fresh perspective and strategic insight to AHDB.
“I look forward to working closely with her as we continue to champion our world-class farmers and food producers – driving rural economic growth and strengthening food security.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to Nicholas Saphir for his dedication, drive and expertise throughout his tenure.”
Outgoing AHDB chair Nicholas Saphir said: “I have served as AHDB chair for the last five years, during which time it has been an honour and a pleasure to have worked with some amazingly dedicated and knowledgeable board members and staff.
“Together we have delivered a significant change in the way in which AHDB serves our levy payers.
“I leave AHDB, the board and team well positioned to play their part in providing ‘the key that unlocks the future of British agriculture’.
“I’m delighted that Emily Norton will be stepping into the role as chair of AHDB. Emily brings a wealth of experience through her background in running a family farming business as well as her work as a highly respected strategic and policy advisor.”
Emily Norton, new AHDB chair, said: “I am proud to take on the role of chair at such a pivotal time for British agriculture.
“My professional focus has always been on strengthening the resilience, sustainability, and prosperity of the UK’s food and farming sectors.
“I look forward to working with stakeholders across the industry to deliver on that mission as part of the AHDB.”
New chair Emily Norton
Norton is a partner in an 80ha arable farm in Norfolk and owner and founder of Farm Foresight Ltd., a strategic advisory service for the rural sector.
She has previously held several executive roles including head of rural research at Savills UK and was chair of the Oxford Farming Conference in 2023.
Norton has extensive board-level experience, with positions at the Soil Association Exchange, the Environmental Markets Board, and the Duchy of Lancaster.
She is a member of the national policy committee of the Country Land and Business Association, a trustee at the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and a member of the Farming Leadership Group of the Food, Farming & Countryside Commission.
AHDB
AHDB is a statutory levy board funded by around 100,000 farmers and other businesses in the food supply chain.
It states that its purpose is to unlock the success of British agriculture, to help improve business performance, allowing levy payers to be competitive and share good practice.
To achieve this, AHDB designs easy-to-use products, tools and services to help equip levy payers to make informed on-farm decisions.
This work is underpinned by marketing activity for meat and dairy in the UK and other countries with an international team developing exports opportunities in markets including the Middle East and the Americas, as well as Europe.
Established in 2008 and classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body, AHDB supports production of beef, lamb and pork in England, dairy in Great Britain and cereals and oilseeds in the UK.
