An East Anglian farmers’ co-op has appointed a new group chief executive.

East Anglian Daily Times: Clarke Willis, at Anglia Farmers at Honingham Thorpe.Clarke Willis, at Anglia Farmers at Honingham Thorpe. (Image: Archant � 2009)

Jon Duffy is set to take over the reins at Norfolk-based Anglia Farmers Limited from Clarke Willis, who is standing down after 15 years at the helm.

Jon, whose tenure begins in March, graduated with an HND in Agriculture from Plymouth University. Between 1996 and 2005 Jon was managing director of Gleadell Agriculture. He joined Frontier Agriculture in 2005 as trading director before becoming Frontier’s business development director between 2014 and 2016. For the past two years he has also been chairman of the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC).

Jon said he was “delighted” to be joining Anglia Farmers, the UK’s largest agricultural purchasing group, and very much hoped to build on the good work done by Clarke and his team over the years.

“Whilst much of UK Agriculture has recently been going through a period of change and uncertainty, the future of AF is incredibly bright and my aim is to improve the business for the benefit of its members. We live in exciting times and I cannot wait to get started,” he said.

Chairman Nigel Savory said the organisation was looking forward to welcoming Jon to the organisation.

“I am pleased that we have been able to attract a candidate of Jon’s calibre. His industry knowledge and management skills will be a real asset to AF,” he said.

“I would like to thank Clarke for all the hard work and dedication he has given to AF. Clarke’s vision, drive and determination have put AF firmly on the map as the leading agricultural purchasing group in the UK.”