News
Oxford Farming Conference and MycoTechnology appointments
New board members join the Oxford Farming Conference
The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) has appointed three new directors to its board for the 2026-28 term.
Leprino Foods sustainability manager Ben Williams, farmer and land manager Jamie Graham, and Savills director and head of rural research Kelly Hewson-Fisher will join the board starting from the 2025 conference.
Williams joined the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board in 2018 to lead knowledge transfer for the pork sector before moving to Leprino Foods in 2021, where he now oversees sustainability for a network of 380 contracted farms across Wales and Northern Ireland.
Commenting on his appointment, Williams said: “The chance now to help grow, develop and support that network in making real change is really exciting. To be an OFC Director at a personal level is an amazing challenge, a great opportunity and something I can’t wait to get stuck into.”
Hewson-Fisher brings extensive experience in agricultural business consulting, water resource management and rural research to the role, drawing on her experience in roles at ADAS, Anglian Water and the National Farmers’ Union
“It feels a privilege to be able to hold this position for a three-year term and follow in the footsteps of some of the great people we have in the UK agriculture sector,” said Hewson-Fisher. “It’s an exciting time to be part of the conference, to support any transition of change and continue to build for the future.”
Graham is a farmer and land manager on the banks of Loch Lomond, Scotland, where he oversees Montrose Estates, a rural enterprise including a livestock farm with 160 suckler cows and 1,500 ewes, renewable energy assets, hospitality, leisure, and forestry activities.
He added: “I very much look forwards to working with the Council and wider OFC community in together discovering, describing and inspiring the future for UK agriculture.
“There are many and new questions being asked of our sector. OFC can help us to find the best answers by convening the widest possible constituency, informing solutions by sharing experiences and inspiring the next generation.”
Former Nestlé CMO new MycoTechnology chairman
Alternative proteins producer MycoTechnology has appointed Rob Case as its new chairman, succeeding co-founder Alan Hahn in the role
Case has been a member of the board for the past six years and previously held a number of senior positions with Nestlé, including chief marketing officer and president of Nestlé Beverages. He has also served as board member for several consumer packaged goods companies.
Commenting on Case’s appointment, chief technical officer Ranjan Patnaik said: “His guidance will be essential to our continued success, including the development and commercialization of our new Honey Truffle Sweeter, growth of our commercially successful ClearIQ natural flavour modifier, and future breakthroughs using the power of fungi.”
Case said it was a privilege to take on his new role as chairman during an ‘exciting time’ in MycoTechnology’s journey.
“I look forward to continued growth and progress toward our mission of food system transformation, as we build on existing innovations and explore new solutions from nature.”
Meanwhile, October has been chocked full of senior appointments in the food and drink manufacturing industry. We track the people on the move in the past month in this round-up of senior hires in the sector.
