Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee members details and biographies

Members

Andrew Clark	National Farmers Union	NFU
Marcus Themans	National Farmers Union	NFU
Pat Stanley	National Farmers Union	NFU
Chris Kaufman	Unite the Union: T&G Section	Unite
Ivan Monckton	Unite the Union: T&G Section	Unite
Ian Beeby	Unite the Union: T&G Section	Unite
Jill Hewitt	National Association of Agricultural Contractors	NAAC
Roger Lane-Nott	Agricultural Engineers Association	AEA
Keith Christian	British Agricultural & Garden Machinery Association	BAGMA
David Knowles	Institution of Occupational Safety & Health	IOSH
James Brown	Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group	AFAG
Madge Moore	Lantra
James Eckley	National Federation of Young Farmers  Clubs	NFYFC
Geoff Gregory	Land based colleges aspiring to excellence	Landex
Reuben Evans	NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Ltd	NFUM
Chris McCann	Asda	ASDA

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Marcia Davies	Chair	Head of Operational Strategy Division (OPSTD)
Nick Sangha	Secretariat	Policy, Employment and Strategy Section
Judith Donovan	Advisor	Non-Executive HSE Board Member
Graeme Walker	Advisor	Head of Agriculture and Food Sector
Alan Plom	Advisor	Safety Section
Samantha Peace*	Advisor	Employment, Strategy & Evaluation Section
Alastair Mitchell*	Advisor	Health, Education & Food Section
Malcolm Downey	Papers only	HSE Northern

* Will attend meetings on relevant topics only

Andrew Clark

National Farmers Union (NFU)

Andrew Clark has worked in NFU’s headquarters since January 1993. Now the NFU’s Head of Policy Services managing a team of 28 across Economics, Environment, Science/Regulatory affairs and Legal disciplines. Formerly he worked in the Environment team focusing on biodiversity, public access and landscape conservation policy. Before joining the NFU he worked with Hertfordshire County Council as a Landscape Officer administering the County’s amenity tree planting scheme. Andrew grew up on a hop and fruit farm in Worcestershire and is a Chartered Landscape Architect.

Marcus Themans

National Farmers Union (NFU)

Marcus is a farmer in South Shropshire with 25 years experience of Arable and Livestock production.

Over the last 4 years he has developed on farm butchery and meat processing for retail through the farm shop and supply to the premium food service sector.

He spent 12 years part-time tutoring Health and Safety with the ATB, in particular safe use of pesticides and COSHH in agriculture.

He has extensive experience of policy/strategy work with the NFU and currently national spokesman for Transport, Feeds and Fertilisers issues. Also represent agriculture on the FSA's Advisory Committee on Animal Feeds

Pat Stanley

National Farmers Union (NFU)

Arable and Beef Farmer – 2000 acres (in partnership with husband)

Chris Kaufman

Unite the Union: (T&G Section)

Chris Kaufman is Transport & General Workers’ Union National Secretary for Rural, Agricultural & Allied Workers covering farm, horticultural, forestry, poultry, food processing and packing, equine industry and dairy production and processing workers amongst others.  A founder member of CHEMAG whilst at the old NUAAW following a union campaign to ban the weed killer 245T detailed in the book he co-authored called “Portrait of a Poison”.  Immediately before this current post he was Public Services National Secretary and before that Head of Publications as Editor of the T&G Record responsible also for the Landworker.

Ivan Monckton

Unite the Union: (T&G Section)

He is a self-employed countryside conservation contractor and second-hand bookshop owner who lives in Wales. He represents the Rural, Agricultural and Allied Workers' section of the Transport & General Workers Union on its General Executive and is a member of the Radnor Local Access Forum. He is a member of HSE's Agricultural Industry Advisory Committee, and a TGWU representative on the Agricultural Wages Board of England and Wales. Both these appointments are unpaid. Ivan is a member of the Labour Party. He is also a Housing Corporation Board member.

Ian Beeby

Unite the Union: (T&G Section)

Ian is one of the Unions key health and safety lay representatives and chairs the union’s Health & Safety Sub Committee. He also sits on AIAC’s transport group and writes the Landworker’s health & safety column.

Jill Hewitt

Chief Executive

National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC)

Jill was brought up on an arable farm in Lincolnshire and went on to graduate from Sutton Bonnington, Nottingham University in 1991, with a degree in Agricultural (Animal) Science.

From there Jill spent the next 8 years as a Technical Officer with the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) – an internationally recognised charity, specialising in the welfare of livestock in markets, during transport and at slaughter. This rather unusual job involved her in a variety of activities, including liaising with Government and industry; training; auditing abattoirs; gaining a slaughter licence (!) and media and press work.

Whilst at the HAS she was also awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1999, which allowed her to travel on a study tour around rural China, Israel and the USE studying chick disposal.

Joining the NAAC in February 2001, Jill is now responsible for the management of the NAAC, which is the trade association representing land-based contractors. Within this role, he manages internal policy, technical projects, and membership issues and represents the Association on a variety of external Boards and committees. 

Roger Lane-Nott, CB

Director General

Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA)

Roger Lane-Nott is Director General and Chief Executive of AEA. The Association represent manufacturers and sole importers of tractors and machinery used throughout Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Professional Turf and Lawn and Garden.

From 1963 – 1996 Royal Navy Commanded: HMS Walrus; HMS Swiftsure; HMS Splendid (Falklands War); Third Submarine Squadron; HMS Coventry; First Frigate Squadron; Flag Officer Submarines; Commander NATO Submarines; Chief of Fleet Operations.

From 1996-1977 FIAFI Race Director; 1997-1999 CEO Centre for Marine and Petroleum Technology; 1996-2006 Secretary British Racing Drivers Club – Silverstone.

Keith Christian

Director

British Agricultural & Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA)

Keith Christian is the Director in charge of the BAGMA Division of the British Hardware Federation Group (BHF). Keith leads the BAGMA Council and its specialist committees in all areas with regards to agriculture, in particular health and safety with 30 years in garden machinery & ground care sales and distribution experience.

David Knowles

Representing Institution of Occupational Safety & Health

David is a Chartered Safety Practitioner and a Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.  He was one of the founding members of the IOSH Rural Industries Specialist Group which he now chairs on a voluntary basis.

David is employed by ADAS UK Ltd. as their Group Safety and Environmental Safety Manager.  Previously working for MAFF, the HSE in their International Section, HM Factory Inspectorate.  He spent seven years as one of HM Agricultural Inspectors.  David started his full-time career in occupational health and safety with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority over 25 years ago.

He is employed on a contract basis as the “competent person” for a number of traditional rural estates and acts as an expert witness in civil and criminal courts cases.  He is the author of a number of books and HSE funded research reports.

James Brown

Representing the Tree Work Sector

James Brown is native of the Orkney Islands and after service in the merchant navy and in the army, worked in forestry. He then served in the police and achieved senior rank, being responsible for implementing the HASAW Act.  Realising that it failed to cover serving officers, he campaigned successfully for their inclusion. Returning to forestry he represented the Royal Scottish Forestry Society (RSFS) on the Forestry and Arboriculture Safety and Training Council becoming chair of the Health and Safety Committee.  He was appointed to, and still serves on, the CEN and ISO committees on protection from cutting. He serves also on the HSE Forestry Advisory Group.

At present he owns and runs a small forestry firm and a sawmill, specialising in arboriculture. As a member of the Forestry and Timber Association he chairs the South Scotland Committee.  As a member of the United Kingdom Forest Products Association he is their training convenor.  He chairs the Scottish Skills Testing Council. He is currently President of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society in its 150th year. 

He is involved in farming and breeds Simmental cattle. Another interest is pipe band music and having acted as parade chief marshal for several major parades in Edinburgh raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, in 2002 he had the responsibility of marshalling the 7500 strong parade on Tartan Day in New York.

In 1998 he was awarded MBE for services to forestry and arboriculture.

Madge Moore

National Director

Lantra

Madge is a National Director for England within Lantra working to develop close relationships between the Sector Skills Council, employers and a wide range of Government departments, regional agencies and learning providers. She was appointed to this post in October 2004 having previously held the role of Director of Policy and Employer Engagement where she was tasked with taking forward the areas of marketing and communications, employer engagement and policy development.

From a farming family in Yorkshire, Madge has extensive experience working in the environmental and land based sector. Obtaining a degree in Botany from Nottingham University, specialising in Taxonomy, Ecology and Biosystematics, Madge went on to conduct research into Hybrid Wheat genetics for a plant breeding company in Lincolnshire spending time in research establishments in Europe and New Zealand. For four years she managed a mixed crop farm in Canterbury, New Zealand with her husband, introducing Evening Primrose for export to the UK and diversifying farming activities into agronomy consultancy, mohair production and the development of legume and cereal breeding programmes for several UK companies. On returning to the UK Madge worked as vocational training coordinator for an agricultural and horticultural training group with upwards of 150 businesses and at Bishop Burton College, supporting the management development programme, before joining Lantra.

In addition to several professional qualifications Madge holds an NVQ Level 4 qualification in Management.

James Eckley

National Federation of Young Farmers Cubs

James Eckley is the Senior Officer (Operations Manager) of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) based at the YFC HQ at Stoneleigh Park. He joined the NFYFC in January 2006 from the Horticultural Employers Association, a newly formed association that supports employers in the horticultural sector.

Prior to this, for 8 years he was General Manager of HOPS Labour Solutions, one of the Home Office appointed SAWS Operators. HOPS recruits some 9,000 seasonal agricultural workers annually from overseas – principally from central and eastern Europe. 

He has a great deal of experience of casual and migrant labour issues within the agricultural industry - particularly the fruit and vegetable production sectors. James has given guidance and signposted farmers and growers working within the SAWS programme on employment and Health & Safety issues.

Geoff Gregory

Land based colleges aspiring to excellence (LANDEX)

Geoff Gregory is Deputy Principal at Plumpton College and has a special responsibility for its resources including Health & Safety aspects. Plumpton College is a medium-sized landbased college, rated good overall by Ofsted in their last 2 inspections (2003 & 2007). 

Reuben Evans

NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Limited

No details.

Note: has not attended any committee meetings since appointment to AIAC.

Chris McCann

Ethical Trading Manager

Asda

Chris joined Asda in June 2003 from Burberry, where he was Business Project Manager. Prior to that Chris had spent six years as Divisional Project Manager for the UK's largest catalogue retailer, G.U.S, during which time he sat on the Group Corporate Social Responsibility Board, Merchandise Strategy Team and Change Management Group.

Chris is currently responsible for managing ASDA's Social Compliance programme, covering Clothing, General Merchandise, Produce and Grocery both in the UK and overseas. He sits on the Wal-Mart International Corporate Responsibility Group and Asda Corporate Responsibility Board, and has recently been appointed by Defra to the Board of the Gangmaster Licensing Authority, which will take effect as of April 2005.

Chris is married with 4 children, has a BA (Hons) and an MSc degree.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Marcia Davies

Director of Operational Strategy Division (OPSTD)

Health and Safety Executive

Marcia Davies is Head of HSE’s Operational Strategy Division (OPSTD). She has responsibility for four HSE Sectors (Agriculture and Food; Manufacturing; Services, Transportation and Safety Unit; and Health Unit & Public Services Sector) and the Local Authority Unit. Marcia is also HSE’s champion for the Partnership with the Local Authorities. She was previously HSE Regional Director for the Midands (West and East Midlands) for four and a half years and during 2006/07 was also responsible for London Division. Prior to that, from 1999 – 2004, she was Regional Director for the North West. Earlier posts included Head of Operations in Wales and the West Division and Area Director for the Marches. Marcia joined HSE as an Inspector in 1976 within the West Midlands. In the latter part of the 1980s, she was Head of the Policy Section responsible for the development and implementation of the COSHH Regulations. Marcia is based at the Birmingham office at No 1 Hagley Road, Birmingham B16 8HS, telephone 0121 607 6312, e-mail marcia.davies@hse.gsi.gov.uk.

Judith Donovan CBE

 Judith Donovan CBE was one of the first female entrepreneurs in Yorkshire, founding her own marketing agency in 1982, which she grew to over 50 staff, and a turnover of £12.5 million, before selling to her managers in 2000.

Since then she has pursued a public sector and NED career and is currently a Board Director of HSE, BIG Lottery and British Wool Marketing Board. She is also a Governor of Legacy Trust UK, and a member of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for North Yorkshire. In addition, she supports both York Minster and Ripon Cathedral strategically.

Previously she has been Chair of the Yorkshire Tourist Board, Chair of Bradford TEC, President of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chair of Postwatch, a Millennium Commissioner and a Trustee of Northern Ballet.

Graeme Walker

Head of Agriculture and Food Sector

Graeme Walker is Head of HSE’s Agriculture and Food Sector. He joined the newly formed Health and Safety Executive in September 1975.  In April 1999 he moved to HSE's Agriculture & Wood Sector with operational responsibility for agricultural chemicals (including pesticides and veterinary medicines), biological agents, occupational health and rehabilitation, employment and education and training.  

Amongst other things, Graeme has been heavily involved in casual and temporary labour issues. He has in particular had a leading role in developing and managing HSC/E’s emerging strategy on migrant workers following the Morecambe Bay tragedy in February 2004 and in assisting Defra in the implementation of the Gangmaster Licensing Act.

He also managed the Sector's Strategy and Project Management Unit responsible for coordinating and managing the delivery of the Sector’s projects contributing to the new “Fit3” strategy before his departure to the Hazardous Installations Directorate, gas and Pipelines Section in 2008.

In March 2009 Graeme became the Head of Agriculture and Food sector.

Alan Plom

Head of Safety Section

Agriculture and Food Sector

Alan joined the Agriculture Sector on 28 February 2005 from HSE’s Local Authority Unit in Rose Court, where he has worked for the past four years as Head of Enforcement Management Branch.  Prior to this and following his promotion to Principal Inspector in 1991, he managed inspection teams responsible for the agriculture, wood, polymers and fibres sectors in Northern Home Counties.  He was also the Area’s Enforcement Liaison Officer, working with Local Authorities, other Government Departments and intermediaries across the Region.  

Alan joined HSE in 1979 as an agricultural inspector, based in East Anglia.  He has also worked in Bootle HQ (policy on agriculture, pesticides, COSHH and environmental issues) and in Safety Policy Division in London (on European Directives and standards on machinery safety). 

Alan ‘grew up’ working on farms and as a student working towards his degree in agriculture (BSc Hons, Aberystwyth 1974).  He also has a postgraduate diploma in agricultural engineering from Silsoe College (Cranfield University) where he also worked for a short time as a Research Officer.  Alan then worked as a Scientific Officer in MAFF’s Chief Scientist’s Group, where he was involved in commissioning and monitoring research in agricultural engineering and buildings, flood protection and energy, before transferring to HSE in 1979. 

He is an active Member of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, having served on the national Council and Branch Committees and last year received the Branch Meritorious Award.