Food certification firm appoints new ceo after boss dies
Richard Jacobs had been ceo of Organic Farmers & Growers for 10 years before he passed away in December 2013.
Chairman of Organic Farmers & Growers, Richard Thompson, said: “It would be fair to say that we were all devastated by the loss to illness of Richard Jacobs, at a mere 50-years-old, but the staff have been as predictably committed and professional as we knew they would be and the organisation is now ready for Kerr to bring his experience and perspective and to take it forward.”
Kerr joins from Proper Welsh Dairy Crest, where he had been general manager since the Proper Welsh Milk Company was acquired by Dairy Crest for £325,000 in March 2013.
At the time of the acquisition, he had been director of the company for two years.
Approved by government
Organic Farmers & Growers provides organic inspection and certification to farms and businesses across Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. It was the first organisation approved by the UK government to carry out this work, in 1992, the firm claimed.
Kerr said: “I knew Jacobs well and liked and respected him and the job he did. If someone has to follow him in these sad circumstances, I’m glad it can be me.
“The outlook for organics in the UK is bright and its prospects, post financial downturn, are improving again week-by-week. There is much work to be done and an awful lot to be achieved and I look forward to working with this very strong team to do that, delivering the service our licensees expect and deserve.”
