New Vice Chairperson for NFU Horticulture Board

Sarah Pettitt has been voted vice chairperson of the NFU horticulture board.

An advisor in her family's brassica business in Fishtoft, Boston Sarah has also gained more than a decade's experience in the fresh and frozen vegetable industry and has worked for DG Produce Ltd, TH Clements & Son and Old Leake Grower Association.

On accepting the position Ms Pettitt said: "I'm delighted to take up this role with the NFU. I will be working hard with Richard and the rest of the board to improve supply chain relationships, reduce regulatory burden and promote our industry to our customers. More commitment from the retail sector and more favourable public procurement policies are things I plan to champion.

"Our industry faces a number of very real challenges from rising costs and shrinking margins to the sustained threat of foreign imports. We need to investigate new ways to pool our collective strengths be it through logistics, technology or combined buying power.

"If we are to profit from the rapid changes currently assailing every aspect of horticulture we must remain flexible and consumer facing so that we identify every trend and grasp every opportunity. In my new role I plan to act on behalf of all growers to give them every opportunity to adapt to those changes."