Appointment of PR and Policy Advisor

Published on : 16 Aug 2024

The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA), which represents 90% of the UK's free-range producer base, which collectively has more than 30 million commercial free-range layers, is delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Ford as the association's new PR and Policy Advisor.

Gary has worked in the agricultural sector for more than 30 years and brings with him a wealth of expertise that will further strengthen BFREPA's dedicated poultry team. Gary joins the organisation from the British Egg Industry Council, where he was most recently Chief Executive. Prior to that, Gary had a long career at the National Farmers Union, where he held various roles, including Chief Poultry Adviser.

Gary was born into a Worcestershire farming family, keeping dairy, arable, and pigs. His extensive personal and professional experience underscores his deep understanding of the industry and its challenges and is a key reason he is such an ardent supporter of producers.

Gary Ford commented:
"When the opportunity to work with BFREPA arose, I didn't hesitate. I am passionate about supporting producers; it's where my roots are both in my working career and family history. The egg industry is in my blood, and I have seen how hard the BFREPA team works to support the free-range sector, and I am really excited to be a part of that. The next few years will likely bring a range of challenges for our sector, and I look forward to working with BFREPA to help steer us through them."

One of Gary's priorities once in post is to meet members in a series of roadshows, helping him to understand what they want to see from the organisation in the future. Engaging with the members and representing their interests with retailers and packers will be a pivotal part of his role.

James Baxter, BFREPA Chairman, added:
"The egg industry is constantly evolving and faces some difficult challenges. Adding someone of Gary's calibre to our team is a real coup for the organisation. His extensive knowledge in the poultry sector, combined with his willingness to engage with producers, will be a tremendous asset as we continue to navigate ever-changing policies from welfare and environmental to a cage-free commitment in 2025 and beyond. Gary will add to our team substantially, further strengthening our representation of members."

Gary starts his new position in November.