The board of Dairy UK has announced the appointment of Dr Judith Bryans as the new chief executive of the organisation.

Dairy UK is a trade association that represents the interests of dairy farmers, producer co-ops, milk processors and doorstep deliverymen.

Dr Bryans is currently the director of The Dairy Council and is respected internationally as an advocate for the dairy industry and the integrity of its products.She will take up her new position on 1st October, following the retirement of Dairy UK director general Jim Begg.

“We are delighted to appoint someone of the calibre of Judith to lead Dairy UK,” said Billy Keane, chairman of Dairy UK. “She is held in the highest regard in the UK and internationally by colleagues within the dairy industry and by decision makers at the highest level.”

“The board takes the view that Judith has the skill and determination to build on its successes to date and she will be an excellent successor to Jim Begg, who has done so much for the industry over the last 40 years.”

“The board of Dairy UK believes there is no doubt that public health will become an increasingly important part of Dairy UK’s work, given the regulatory and legislative landscape that lies ahead of us. In that respect, there is no one better than Judith to bring these skills to the table.”

“Leading Dairy UK is a tremendously exciting prospect and I look forward to working with colleagues across the industry in representing the interests of dairy,” said Dr. Bryans. “Dairy UK has achieved a lot since its creation and has a strong future. The industry is not without its challenges but much can be achieved by an effective cross-industry body.”

The Dairy Council will continue as a separate organisation and a new director of nutrition will be appointed to lead its work in communicating scientific and nutritional information to health professionals and the public.