Tesco hires NFU boss as director of agriculture

By Mike Stones

- Last updated on GMT

Tom Hind will take up his new role later this year
Tom Hind will take up his new role later this year

Related tags Meat

Tesco has recruited Tom Hind, currently National Farmers Union (NFU) corporate affairs director, to the new role of group director of agriculture.

The UK's top retailer pledged to recruit a director of agriculture back in February at the NFU conference, in a bid to strengthen relationships with farmers and to source more British food ​after the horsemeat crisis.

Speaking at the time Tesco boss Philip Clarke promised: "We are going to bring meat production closer to home."

Hind's role in delivering that pledge will be to develop further the retailer's partnership with farmers and its sustainability programmes.

During his 15 years with the NFU, Hind held a number of roles, including chief dairy adviser, when he drafted plans that led to the Voluntary Code of Practice for the dairy industry.

Relationships with farmers

Kevin Grace, Tesco’s commercial director, said: “As British agriculture’s biggest customer, we’re proud of the relationships we’ve developed with thousands of farmers across the UK. Through schemes like our pioneering Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group, we’ve led the way in developing new ways of working with farmers and we hope to build on these achievements with the appointment of Tom Hind.

“Tom is a respected figure in British agriculture and will bring with him a huge amount of hands-on farming experience. His relationship with farmers will ensure their views continue to be heard throughout Tesco.”

New role at Tesco

NFU’s director general Andy Robertson said while the union was sorry to lose Hind, he was delighted that it would continue to work with him in his new role at Tesco.

“Back in February Tesco made a commitment to work more closely with farmers and to source more British food,”​ said Robertson. “I see this role, and Tom’s appointment, as a very large step towards delivering on that promise. Tom will bring a high level of insight and understanding of agriculture to Tesco and, more importantly, farmers can be reassured that this key role is being filled by someone who understands agriculture.”

Hind said throughout his career he had been motivated by the desire to make a difference on behalf of farmers and growers. “I’m looking forward to working with the Tesco team and its suppliers to develop even closer working relationships between farmers, manufacturers and the retailer,”​ he said.

Related news

Show more

Related products

Carbon Reduction for Large Energy Users

Carbon Reduction for Large Energy Users

Content provided by ESB Energy | 12-Nov-2021 | Product Brochure

ESB Energy Business Solutions can help you meet your companies carbon targets by 2050. We offer a range of sustainable tailored solutions to reduce the...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Featured Jobs

View more

Webinars

PRODUCTS & SERVICES