PTF appoints first female board member

Liz Sutton, founder and director of the goat dairy firm Delamere Dairy, was announced as vice chair at the PTF’s annual general meeting in London yesterday (July 7).

Terry Jones, the PTF’s director general, told FoodManufacture.co.uk that Sutton was the organisation’s first woman to take on the role.

“That’s quite momentous for an organisation that’s as old and as big as ours,” ​Jones, who replaced Clare Cheney as director general in September, added.

‘Hold senior office’​

Sutton said: “I am thrilled to have been elected as the PTF’s vice chair and the appointment has been made more special as the first goat dairy representative to hold senior office within the federation.”​

Sutton will be working with the PTF’s new chair Rob Nugent, who is the operations director of Direct Table Foods. Nugent was also appointed yesterday and replaces Andy Smith, group md of Lactalis McLelland.

Nugent was determined to grow the organisation and enhance its profile and reputation among stakeholders, he said.

“Despite the tough global market and the challenging trading conditions in the domestic market, this is an exciting time for the organisation.​

‘Grow the organisation’​​

“My priorities will be to work with the PTF team to grow the organisation, enhance its profile with our important stakeholders and improve the service we deliver for members.” ​

Meanwhile, in an exclusive video interview with FoodManufacture.co.uk, Jones set out the PTF’s three-year growth plan​ before the organisation’s annual dinner in March.

Better communication between the PTF, government and the media was central to Jones’s plan, he said.

“We should clearly communicate what provisions trading is about; the value we deliver and the great things our members do in keeping the ​[supermarket] shelves full and the lights on in many British factories.”​