Appointment details

The Agriculture & Horticulture Board (AHDB) APPT10-25:Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Chair APPT11-25: Independent Board Member with Expertise in Digital, Data, and Technology APPT12-25: Cereals and Oilseeds Sector Council Chair

Summary

• Organisation: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
• Sponsor department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Location: West Midlands
• Sectors: Environment, Agriculture & Fishing
• Skills: Commercial, Communication, Marketing, Technology / Digital, Regulation, Cyber Security
• Number of vacancies: 3
• Time commitment: Adhoc
• Remuneration: £12,600 to £25,200 per annum
• Length of term: 3 years for each role
• Application deadline: Midday on 2 December 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   11 November 2025

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 2 December 2025

3. Sifting date

   19 December 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   28 January 2028

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

AHDB is seeking three new board members.  

The Agriculture & Horticulture Board (AHDB) is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Established in 2008 under the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Order 2008 it is funded through a statutory levy collected from farmers, growers and other parts of the agricultural supply chain across four sectors.  

AHDB’s mission is to support these sectors in becoming more sustainable and competitive. It achieves this by delivering high value through strategic investment, transparency, and active industry engagement. Key activities include providing market intelligence, conducting research and development, facilitating market access, and promoting knowledge transfer initiatives that empower farmers and growers to succeed in an evolving landscape.

Appointment description

Role of the Board

The AHDB Board is responsible for the overall strategic direction and delivery of AHDB's goals. It consists of nine non-executive members, including the Chair, who bring sector expertise, geographical knowledge, and industry experience.

APPT10-25: Role of the ARAC Chair

The role is for an Independent Board Member to serve as Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. The postholder’s primary responsibility is to bring audit and risk expertise to the organisation and ensure effective oversight in this critical area. While contributing fully to the wider work of the Board, the focus of the role is on providing assurance, scrutiny, and independent challenge to the Board and Accounting Officer regarding AHDB’s governance, risk management, financial management, and internal control.

Key responsibilities include:

• Chairing the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee and ensure it operates effectively, providing clear reports and recommendations to the Board.

• Leading discussions with the Committee on risk, financial management, governance, and internal control.

• Overseeing, on behalf of the Board, the internal audit programme — ensuring it is risk-based, proportionate, and delivers value — by reviewing plans agreed between the Head of Internal Audit (outsourced provider) and the Accounting Officer.

• Considering the findings and implications of external audit (NAO) work, together with management responses, and advise the Board on the approval of the Annual Report and Accounts based on assurance gathered throughout the year.

• Providing independent scrutiny of AHDB’s governance, risk management, and internal control framework, ensuring issues are raised and addressed appropriately by management.

• Challenging and scrutinise compliance information presented by management in relation to statutory, regulatory, and internal control obligations, including financial propriety and value for money. 

• Ensuring that AHDB’s use of levy-funded resources is transparent, responsible, and consistent with the principles of good governance and Managing Public Money.  

• Maintaining independence of judgment and ensure that the Committee provides robust, evidence-based challenge to the Executive where necessary. 

• Contributing as a Board member to the wider governance of AHDB, including constructive challenge to fellow Board members and support for AHDB’s strategic direction and statutory objectives.

APPT11-25: Role of Independent Board member with Expertise in Digital, Data, and Technology

This role is for an Independent Board Member with expertise in Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT). The postholder will provide strategic insight and oversight on digital transformation, data strategy, and technology initiatives, while contributing to the wider work of the Board. This is an opportunity to help shape the governance and direction of a UK-wide public body at a pivotal time for AHDB and the agricultural sector.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide inspirational leadership and constructive challenge as an effective Board member.

• Monitor and scrutinise organisational performance, holding the Executive to account for the achievement of strategic goals and service outcomes.

• Ensure high standards of governance by providing independent challenge and assurance on risk management, internal controls, and DDaT-related risks (e.g. cyber security, data quality, resilience, supplier risk, ethical data use).

• Contribute to the development of AHDB’s strategy including in each sector.

• Support the organisation in identifying efficiencies, growth opportunities, and new ways of working.

• Promote responsible, transparent and accountable data use, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory and ethical standards.

• Advise on opportunities for collaboration across sectors and across the UK using digital platforms, data sharing, and knowledge exchange.

APPT12-25: Role of Cereals and Oilseeds Sector Council Chair

This role is for a Board Member who will also serve as Chair of the Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council. The postholder should be a current or recent levy payer with specific expertise in the cereals and oilseeds sector, along with the other essential skills defined in the Essential Criteria. The Chair provides leadership and strategic direction to the Council, ensuring its activities deliver measurable value to levy payers, including farmers, growers, and the wider supply chain. Acting as a key liaison between levy payers, industry stakeholders, government, and AHDB’s executive leadership, the Chair supports initiatives such as market development, research, innovation, sustainability, and knowledge exchange. The role involves overseeing delivery of the 2022–2027 sector plan and playing a central role in shaping the next five-year plan to reflect future priorities and the evolving needs of the industry.

Key responsibilities include:  

• Chair the Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council and ensure it operates effectively, providing clear reports and recommendations to the Board.  

• Provide inspirational strategic leadership as an AHDB board member, including providing constructive challenge to other board members;

• Actively support AHDB’s strategic direction and collaborate with other board members to ensure that AHDB delivers on its commitments to levy payers;  

• Ensure that the values of good governance are upheld, particularly with regard to levy-funded activities;  

• Ensure delivery of AHDB’s aims and objectives, as set out in legislation and AHDB’s strategy and business plan; 

• Maintain strong, credible and visible relationships with Defra, governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, sector stakeholders and levy payers; 

• Deliver outstanding value for money for AHDB levy payers

Person specification

Essential criteria

APPT10-25:  ARAC Chair 

• A professional qualification in accountancy (e.g. CIPFA, ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA) or significant senior-level financial and audit experience and a strong understanding of assurance and risk frameworks and how they support organisational accountability.  

• Significant expertise in accounting and audit functions, with a strong understanding of how internal and external audit functions operate in a complex organisation.

• Sound judgment, analysis and decision-making skills, and the ability to provide strategic advice to the organisation and challenge in the management of risk and prioritisation of limited resource.

• Board-level experience, including experience chairing, or contributing to, an Audit and Risk Committee (in an NDPB, public sector or regulated environment) and ability to communicate clearly and convincingly within the organisation and with stakeholders, the media and a range of public and private sector organisations.

APPT11-25: Role of Independent Board member with Expertise in Digital, Data, and Technology

• Proven ability to develop and lead overarching strategy across an organisation, particularly in the context of digital transformation and innovation. 

• A proven track record in leading and implementing large-scale digitally enabled transformation initiatives within similar complex public or private sector environments, to deliver service improvements and cost savings for customers, including impacts on people, process and technology.

• Leadership experience of overcoming - at an enterprise level - the technical and delivery challenges in implementing data governance, advanced analytics capabilities and cybersecurity programmes as well as the associated data and security cultural change.

• Strong ability to critically assess and advise across all stages of digital delivery, from new service design to continuous improvement, with experience of embedding digital and data into organisational strategy, planning, and service delivery.

• Skill at communicating complex digital strategy to inform clear decision making.

• Able to provide assurance that digital investments deliver measurable value for money, align with policy objectives, and achieve meaningful outcomes.

APPT12-25 - Cereals and Oilseeds Sector Council Chair

• Proven track-record in thinking strategically and contributing to a long-term organisational vision, with the ability to support levy payer engagement and ensure value for money;

• Proven ability to provide influential leadership, build strong, collaborative relationships with executive functions and support organisational change, to include increased efficiency in marketing and community-based services including sustainability and digital innovation;

• The skills and ability to communicate and champion AHDB clearly and convincingly within the organisation and with stakeholders, the media and a range of public- and private-sector organisations

• Ability to engage and inspire levy payers to build consensus and drive progress on complex industry challenges such as assurance and digitalisation, championing a progressive, confident and profitable Sector  

• An understanding of the wider food and farming industry

• Current or recent levy payer with proven understanding of the technical and strategic challenges and opportunities facing the Cereals & Oilseeds sector and it’s levy payers

Desirable criteria

APPT10-25:  ARAC Chair

• Knowledge of corporate governance frameworks (HM Treasury’s Orange Book, Managing Public Money, the Code of Good Practice for Corporate Governance in Arm’s Length Bodies).

• Experience of current corporate governance best practice

• An engaging and collaborative working style, with the ability to adapt to different partners whilst demonstrating leadership and influencing skills. 

APPT11-25: Role of Independent Board member with Expertise in Digital, Data, and Technology  

• Familiarity with public and private sector digital frameworks, cyber security and AI. 

• Relevant sector knowledge, professional insight, and a strong network to enhance collaboration across the wider digital ecosystem.  

• Awareness of the Government Digital Service Standard and/or other examples of benchmarking good practice in digital service delivery. 

• Awareness of governance, risk, and assurance frameworks relevant to digital transformation in public and private sector contexts.

Application and selection process

How to apply

To apply you will need to create an account or sign in. Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instruction. and submit your application by the deadline of 12:00 pm on 02 December 2025 - quoting the reference for the post you wish to apply for;

• APPT10-25: Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Chair

• APPT11-25: Independent Board Member with Expertise in Digital, Data, and Technology

• APPT12-25: Cereals and Oilseeds Sector Council Chair  

All candidates are required to submit:  

• A CV of no more than two sides of A4 with education, professional qualifications and employment history and the names and contact details for two referees, together with their statement of suitability.  

• A supporting statement should give evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for this role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria (max two pages please). 

• equality information information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues    

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

For further information on the appointments process, please email the Public Appointments Team publicappts@defra.gov.uk;  Rebecca.Loveday@ahdb.org.uk  

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Gill Laishley - Deputy Director Farming & Primary Processing, Defra - Departmental Official – Panel Chair

Emily Norton - Chair of The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board - Representative of Organisation

David Catlow - Non-Executive Director, Veterinary Medicines Directorate - Independent panel Member 

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please email Rebecca.Loveday@ahdb.org.uk

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. Time commitment and remuneration 

For the two independent Board member posts (Reference: APPT10-25 and APPT11-25), a non-pensionable remuneration of £12,600 per annum is payable, subject to deductions for PAYE and National Insurance contributions. This is based on a minimum time commitment of 36 days per year. For the third Board member post (Reference: APPT12-25) who will also serve as a Sector Council Chair, remuneration will be £25,200 per annum, based on a minimum time commitment of 72 days per year. 

The time commitment includes attendance at AHDB Board meetings (which are held in person approximately six times a year), as well as preparation, travel, and other AHDB business.

Remuneration will be paid in equal monthly instalments, and reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed in line with AHDB policy. It is anticipated that all three board members will be expected to work at the AHDB HQ at Coventry (please note these offices are all open plan with easy access), as well as from home.

APPT10-25: ARAC Chair – Non-pensionable remuneration of £12,600 per annum

APPT11-25 Independent Board Member with DDaT expertise – non-pensionable remuneration of £12,600 per annum

APPT12-25 – Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council Chair – Non-pensionable remuneration of £25,200 per annum  

If you need further advice, please email Rebecca.Loveday@ahdb.org.uk

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the public appointments team publicappts@defra.gov.uk if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application. The team will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Contact details

Period of appointment 

All three posts become vacant on 1 April 2026, and we will therefore be looking for the successful candidates to take up the position on that date. The appointment will initially be for up to three years from the commencement date. A further appointment of up to three years may be made subject to satisfactory performance assessment and will be at the discretion of Ministers.  

If you need further advice, please email Rebecca.Loveday@ahdb.org.uk

Attachments

• 1_ AHDB 3 Board Appointment Recruitment Candidate Pack

• 2_PAT Guidance Notes

• 3_PAT-Privacy Notice