Kelly Watson to quit NFU post

Kelly Watson is leaving her job as chief poultry advisor with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) to take up a position with the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s

Kelly, who took up her current role in 2011, succeeding Rob Newbery, is to take over the post of agriculture manager for poultry with the retailer. She told the Ranger that the job would involve looking after Sainsbury’s producer groups and dealing with suppliers. “I will miss the NFU, but this will be a new experience, a new challenge, and I am really looking forward to it,” she said.

Kelly joined the NFU in 2005 after working as a potato buyer. She first worked in the union’s potato and field vegetable section before moving to the poultry team in 2009 and gaining promotion two years later.

She will leave her job at the NFU on August 2. Applications to succeed her have been invited, with the closing date set for May 10.