UK market director at Danish Crown, Rob Smith is to be the new chairman of the Provision Trade Federation, taking over the baton from Phil Langslow.

Rob Smith

Robert Smith, UK market director for Danish Crown and new PTF chairman.

Andrew Kuyk CBE and Angela Coleshill, joint director generals at the PTF said: "On behalf of the whole PTF team, Angela and I are delighted to welcome Rob to his new role.

"Like all trade associations, we are hugely dependent on the time and expertise of our office holders, freely given in support of the members we represent, and at a time when they are facing unprecedented pressures within their own businesses. We look forward with confidence to the challenges ahead.”

Commenting on his new role Smith said: “I am proud to be appointed PTF’s chairman and I am looking forward to working with the whole team at the PTF, the PTF Council colleagues and our members to take forward the organisation’s work.

“Taking on the chairmanship of the PTF is a huge privilege. As a result of the UK’s exit from the EU and notwithstanding the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the NI protocol arrangements, the food industry is continuing to face unprecedented challenges with the simultaneous impact of coronavirus Covid-19 restrictions.

"So, it’s more crucial than ever that businesses keep abreast of issues influencing trade in dairy and meat products including proposed change in food policy and regulations. We will continue to represent our members' interests at every level. I would also like to pay tribute to the outgoing chairman, Phil Langslow who, during his tenure, has guided the organisation through such choppy seas with real skill and assurance.”

Kuyk added: "We echo Rob's comments about the exceptional contribution of our outgoing chair, Phil Langslow."

This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.

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