Dairy UK represents the interests of the entire dairy supply chain including farmers, producer co-operatives, manufacturers of dairy products, and processors and distributors of liquid milk throughout the United Kingdom.
Begg has been at the head of the organisation since its inception in 2004. Prior to that he led both The Dairy Industry Association and The Dairy Industry Federation. He was also president of the International Dairy Federation between 2004 and 2008.
“I informed the board of Dairy UK last year of my intention to retire in 2013 and since then have been working with board members to prepare the organisation for the future, “said Begg. “I have spent all my working life in the dairy industry and have witnessed a great many changes. I believe passionately in the strengths of the UK dairy industry and there is no doubt in my mind that it can enjoy a vibrant and successful future. “I feel that this year is the right time for me to hand over the baton at Dairy UK to someone who will enjoy the job and relish the challenges it brings, as I have done over the years.”
“I would like to thank the staff at Dairy UK who have given me and the organisation tremendous support at every turn.”
“This really is the end of a great era,” said Dairy UK chairman Billy Keane. “Jim has been in the industry for 43 years and for the last 25 years he has been right at the heart of the change and dynamism that the sector has experienced. He has provided real leadership and has been the public face and a stabilising force through many difficult periods of turbulence. His experience will be sadly missed, particularly his extensive knowledge of the international dairy developments.”
“We have been preparing for Jim's departure since he first shared his intentions with us last year. Since then, he has been working with us to restructure the organisation and pave the way for a smooth handover of power. We hope to announce details of his successor in the near future.
In the meantime, the Board of Dairy UK is united in its appreciation of the work that Jim has done for Dairy UK, and for the industry in general. We accord him every good wish for the future.”
