The UK's top retailer pledged to recruit a director of agriculture back in February at the NFU conference, in a bid to strengthen relationships with farmers and to source more British food after the horsemeat crisis.
Speaking at the time Tesco boss Philip Clarke promised: "We are going to bring meat production closer to home."
Hind's role in delivering that pledge will be to develop further the retailer's partnership with farmers and its sustainability programmes.
During his 15 years with the NFU, Hind held a number of roles, including chief dairy adviser, when he drafted plans that led to the Voluntary Code of Practice for the dairy industry.
Relationships with farmers
Kevin Grace, Tesco’s commercial director, said: “As British agriculture’s biggest customer, we’re proud of the relationships we’ve developed with thousands of farmers across the UK. Through schemes like our pioneering Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group, we’ve led the way in developing new ways of working with farmers and we hope to build on these achievements with the appointment of Tom Hind.
“Tom is a respected figure in British agriculture and will bring with him a huge amount of hands-on farming experience. His relationship with farmers will ensure their views continue to be heard throughout Tesco.”
New role at Tesco
NFU’s director general Andy Robertson said while the union was sorry to lose Hind, he was delighted that it would continue to work with him in his new role at Tesco.
“Back in February Tesco made a commitment to work more closely with farmers and to source more British food,” said Robertson. “I see this role, and Tom’s appointment, as a very large step towards delivering on that promise. Tom will bring a high level of insight and understanding of agriculture to Tesco and, more importantly, farmers can be reassured that this key role is being filled by someone who understands agriculture.”
Hind said throughout his career he had been motivated by the desire to make a difference on behalf of farmers and growers. “I’m looking forward to working with the Tesco team and its suppliers to develop even closer working relationships between farmers, manufacturers and the retailer,” he said.