Pig and arable farmer Wendy Houston of north Ipswich has taken on the top role at a Suffolk-based farming co-operative.

Ms Houston of Swilland has become chairman of Fram Farmers - which is based in Framlingham - after taking over the reins from Andrew Read.

She has been steering a mixed farm business - S E Kent & Son - for the past 20 years after gaining a degree in psychology and spending a year with petroleum giant Shell.

She decided to return to the 1,100 acre family business, where she operates a six-year rotation including wheat, barley, oilseed rape, spring beans and sugar beet, alongside a 550-sow farrow-to-finish unit. 

The co-operative was created in 1960 by a group of farmers who recognised the advantages of pooling their purchasing power so that they could buy agricultural products at a cheaper price.

Her deputy is Doug Inglis, a Suffolk-based consultant who advises farming business on management and agronomy.

East Anglian Daily Times:

Ms Houston - who became a board director in 2015 and served as Mr Read's deputy - said she felt "energised" by her new role.

"I aim to ensure the cooperative continues to be best placed to serve members in navigating the challenges both arable and livestock members face, and to prosper in the years to come," she said.

Mr Inglis - who has been on the board since 2020 - previously worked for farm management company Velcourt.

The 1500-strong cooperative - which helps farmers to buy goods and to sell grain as well as supporting them on the admin side -  has also appointed four new members to the board in the past year.

Michael Muncey is a former UK managing director of Bayer Crop Science, David Sheppard is a former managing director of ADM and Mark Williams and Frans de Boer are farmers.

Mr Knowles said the latest appointments came at an important and challenging time for UK agriculture.

"I am looking forward to continuing to work with Wendy and Doug, as well as harnessing the new skills, knowledge and insights that Michael, David, Mark and Frans bring to the Fram Farmers board,” he said.

"Farming is undergoing a period of unparalleled change, challenge and opportunity, and the new board membership will deliver strong, critical and demanding leadership to Fram Farmers.

"This will enable us to continue to evolve and strengthen our performance to members, whilst remaining faithful to the values of the cooperative, and ensure our performance is unparalleled with leading commercial agribusinesses in an increasingly competitive marketplace."

Ms Houston praised Mr Read - who remains on the board - for his contribution and "boundless enthusiasm" for the organisation.

During his tenure, Fram Farmers launched its new Fram26 strategy to ensure the co-op continues to deliver value, advice, and innovation to its members.

Suffolk farmer John Parkinson retired from the board following 11 years of service and banking and finance expert Charles Packshaw after six years at its annual general meeting in November.