Farm Stock's New Chairman - December 2009

Ian is at present a Director of DLF Trifolium Ltd, the UK subsidiary of a worldwide grass seed business based in Denmark. The Danish parent company, also called DLF Trifolium, started life over 100 years ago as a farmer-owned co-operative with the objective of providing a market for grass seed produced on its members farms. Since then the business has grown to the point where it is now the largest grass company in the world and consequently has a major influence on world grass seed prices. Despite this spectacular growth and position of strength, DLF Trifolium remains a farmer’s co-operative and continues to act entirely in the interests of its farmer owners.

After schooling in Edinburgh, Ian obtained a BSc Honours degree in Agriculture at Edinburgh University, and then went to work as a Salesman and Technical Officer with Scottish Agricultural Industries. He rose quickly through the ranks and in 1986 became Company Marketing Manager responsible for marketing an extensive range of agricultural products with an annual sales turnover in excess of £50 million.

In 1989 Ian was seconded to ICI Seeds (UK) Ltd with full responsibility for the operation of ICI’s Scottish seed business. Consequently, following the closure of SAI in 1991, he initiated and completed a management buy-out of their grass seed division, forming his own company HF Seeds Ltd. Ian was Managing Director and Company Secretary of HF Seeds from 1991 until 1997, when the business was sold to DLF Trifolium Ltd. In his current position he is responsible for UK sales, for a large production unit in Edinburgh, and with the other Directors for developing future company strategy and growth. Ian retires from DLF Trifolium in June 2010 but has already got his feet well under the Farm Stock table and is looking forward with relish to the task of taking Farm Stock forward.

As if all the above were not enough Ian lists as his hobbies Scottish country dancing, walking, cooking, water sports, keep fit and music! Although Ian has never worked in the livestock sector before, he has huge experience in agriculture, and has a wide range of contacts in the industry. It goes without saying that in his career he has developed many skills, in people management and motivation, in communication and building relationships and in problem solving and strategic thinking allied with commercial awareness.

It should be obvious to all reading this that your Directors are absolutely delighted to have attracted someone of Ian’s calibre to be our Chairman and we know that you will join with us in welcoming him to Lindean Mill.