George Lyon announced as chair of MLCSL
George Lyon has been appointed Chair of Meat & Livestock Commercial Services Limited (MLCSL) with effect from 1st March.
The business is known for the independent carcase classification and dressing inspection service it provides to red meat abattoirs around the UK, against which sheep, beef and pig producers are paid deadweight for their stock.
George Lyon was appointed to the role for a three year term, following a competitive industry-wide recruitment process. He has replaced MLCSL board member Ian Black, who was acting chair since December 2015.
Jane King, AHDB CEO and MLCSL board member, commented: “George brings strong Board and Chair experience as well as a very strong financial background and a good understanding of the livestock industry. His role as an independent member on the AHDB Board will also ensure that MLCSL remains clearly on the AHDB board agenda.”
George Lyon added: “MLCSL plays a vital independent role in determining what the farmer is paid by the slaughterhouse for the quality of his deadweight carcase.
“The business faces challenges from continuing rationalisation in the slaughter sector and the need to innovate in the face of competition from technological advances such as VIA (video image analysis). The board and management team are focused on the profitability and the longer term sustainability of the business.
About George Lyon
George was a member of the Scottish Parliament for Agryll & Brute (1999-2007) and served as a deputy finance minister between 2005 and 2007. Prior to embarking on his political career, his long-term involvement with the National Farmers Union (NFU) led him to becoming Present of NFU Scotland in 1998.
George is an independent board member at AHDB, Chair of MLCSL and a senior consultant for the agri-food practice of Hume Brophy.
In 2009, he was elected to the European Parliament where he worked on issues related to trade policy, with a particular focus on EU relations with the US and the emerging negotiations on TTIP.
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