Royal hand-over for John Howard

Royal hand-over for John Howard

The prestigious Royal Society building in London was the setting for a retirement party held on Tuesday 28th June for John Howard, the outgoing UK market director of the Danish Agriculture & Food Council.

John has served the Danish industry for 30 years and is primarily known for his main role within the bacon and pigmeat sector.

A highly regarded and well respected figure, John also commands great affection from colleagues and friends alike and it was clear from the many tributes paid on the night that he will be a much missed personality who has been a welcome fixture in the meat industry hierarchy.

John Howard (left) hands over to Rob Smith who now will represent DAFC in the UK.

John Howard (left) hands over to Rob Smith who now will represent DAFC in the UK.

Stories were told and speeches made by leading figures from Danish companies and a special souvenir magazine was produced and circulated as a tribute to John’s excellent relationship with the trade press and trade colleagues.

The publication was organised and produced by Pamela Brook, a consulting editor for Meat Management magazine.

Pam commented: “Over the course of many years some of the meat industry’s finest have enjoyed the company of John Howard and we thought it would be fun to share some thoughts and include some tributes to a man we all respect and admire. Trips to Denmark with John have always been fun, but he also had a great talent for getting down to business and facilitating the best opportunities for journalists to get the best copy. We will all miss him.”

In a funny, self-effacing and engaging speech, John paid tribute to his team both past and present and regaled those attending with funny stories from past exploits. Confirming his Scottish family connection John wore his traditional kilt, which prompted MD of Direct Table, Tony Stanton to comment that he realised this was an occasion for John to ‘come out’ at last and reveal his feminine side. All in good humour and banter of course.

Well known meat man Rob Smith is to take over the UK Danish office from John and he commented: “I am delighted to be taking on this role at such a challenging time. John has big boots to fill and I will do my very best to maintain the high standards he has set over the years. I know everyone joins me in wishing John good health and happiness as he starts this new and exciting part of his life.”

John Howard, who is a past winner of the Meat Industry Excellence Award, will become a regular contributor for Meat Management magazine as from September this year. Look out for his new monthly column.

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