Richard Macdonald, the former director general of the NFU, has been appointed a non-executive director for chicken processor Moy Park.

Macdonald left the NFU in December last year after 13 years at its helm. His appointment is a coup for Moy Park because he remains a leading figure in UK agriculture and sits on the Defra Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food Implementation Group.

“Moy Park holds farming at its core and Richard’s career to date has been all about supporting UK farmers,” said Moy Park CEO, Nigel Dunlop. “With his strong capabilities and depth of understanding of the business, he will be instrumental in further developing Moy Park’s position within the UK agriculture industry.”

Macdonald’s expertise and knowledge would be an asset to Moy Park, which was investing heavily in British agriculture, said one senior industry source. “Richard Macdonald is a very capable person and has a good understanding of agriculture and the legislatory and political process surrounding it,” the source added.

Meanwhile, food industry outsider Tom Taylor has been named chief executive at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. He replaces Kevin Roberts, who leaves on 1 April to become NFU director general.

Taylor has worked for 24 years in the energy sector for companies such as Norweb and the Central Electricity Generating Board, and also has a long history of senior health industry roles.

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