Fram Farmers Announces New CEO

UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / March 24, 2020 / Andrew Knowles has been appointed CEO of Suffolk-based farming cooperative Fram Farmers.

Announcing the appointment, Fram Farmers’ Chairman Andrew Read said, “We are delighted to welcome Andrew Knowles to Fram Farmers. He brings a depth and breadth of agri-business knowledge to Fram Farmers and is well-positioned to serve members across all sectors of the industry.

“As we celebrate 60 years, and as one of the few true farmer-owned inputs, purchasing and crop marketing cooperatives to have reached this milestone, we are confident that Andrew will deliver further progress for our members. We are confident that his leadership qualities and strategic experience will help to further develop what we have achieved over the past 6 decades.”

With a degree in Agricultural Management, Mr Knowles has a long-standing career in agriculture, initially as a farm consultant working with arable businesses in East Anglia, before heading the technical, knowledge transfer and communication teams for AHDB Pork at a challenging time for the industry amid the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

In 2015, Andrew won the prestigious David Black Award, given to those who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the British Pig Industry. Since 2015 he has been Pig Marketing Director of ForFarmers, responsible for developing and executing the company’s European pig strategy.

Andrew Knowles, commenting on his appointment, said, “I am looking forward to joining Fram Farmers, to work with the very dedicated and skilled team, passionate in serving its members and delivering outstanding value and benefits to their businesses through long-standing relationships with suppliers and partners.”

“As Fram Farmers celebrates its 60th year, its members and UK agriculture face a period of unprecedented change, which will bring challenges and opportunities,” he added. “I am very excited and motivated by the prospect of working with the board, team and membership, and leading Fram Farmers in the next phase of its development and growth.”

Andrew will be joining Fram Farmers at the beginning of July.