AHDB appoints new boss

07-Jan-2015 - Last updated on 07-Jan-2015 at 12:18 GMT

King will take the reigns of the AHDB in February

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has appointed Jane King as its new ceo.

King will replace Tom Taylor, who left the role in November, on February 1 2015.

She is a former editor and editorial director of Farmers Weekly magazine and senior executive at data firm Reed Business Information (RBI).

During more than 30 years at RBI, King provided information and services to a range of industries as diverse as retail, health, social care, employment law and hospitality.

‘Enormous knowledge’

AHDB chairman, Sir Peter Kendall, said she had “enormous knowledge, enthusiasm and passion” for the food industry.

“Her communication skills and experience of both repositioning and leading a well-known agricultural service brand through a period of change means she will be able to lead AHDB through an important period as it works towards becoming a centre of excellence for the UK industry,” he added.

Mick Sloyan, a senior director at AHDB, will remain as acting chief executive at AHDB until King takes up her post.