Change at the top at MLC

The Board of Commissioners at the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) has appointed Richard Lowe as the organisation's Chief Executive Officer. Richard, the former Consumer Affairs Director at MLC, will take up his new post from March 1, 2007. He succeeds Kevin Roberts, who has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer for 'Levy Board UK' where he will work alongside the Chair designate and the Shadow Board.

Peter Barr CBE has also agreed to have his appointment as Chairman of MLC extended for a further 12 months to 31 March 2008 following a request from Ministers.

MLC Chairman Peter Barr said: "We have an extremely busy year ahead of us and I have confidence that Richard will do an excellent job leading the MLC team". Richard Lowe said: "The MLC has a lot it needs to deliver over the next twelve months.

"There are big issues facing the British meat and livestock industry, including meeting the challenge of climate change, issues around diet and health and the need to improve our competitiveness within the global marketplace.

"In parallel we have to manage the process of change needed to implement our part in the levy board restructuring, due to be completed by April 2008.

"This is no time to take our eye off the ball!"