Assured Food Standards (AFS), the company which operates the Red Tractor assurance scheme, has announced that Jim Moseley will take over as chairman from the end of November 2015.

Mr Moseley, who succeeds David Gregory, who has completed the maxium six years’ service allowed, has spent more than 38 years in the food and drink industry.

This had included 15 years as managing director of General Mills UK and 12 years at Tulip as sales and marketing director.

He has also served as president of the Food and Drink Federation and more recently its interim director general.

In addition he has been chairman of the Provision Trade Federation and a board member of FoodDrinkEurope.

AFS is an independent body owned by the food chain and responsible for managing and promoting the Red Tractor assurance scheme and the associated consumer logo.

Mr Gregory said: “I am delighted that such a high calibre candidate with vast experience of the food and drink industry has been appointed as my successor.

“I have every confidence that Jim is the right person to continue to lead the organisation at what is a crucial time of change in the food and farming industry, which will bring both challenges and opportunities for AFS and the industry as a whole. I wish him every success.”

Speaking on behalf of the owners of AFS, Andy Robertson, director general of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), said: “Consumers clearly wish to buy British produce of the highest standard and the chairmanship of AFS is a key role to ensure that we can further grow and develop Red Tractor as a leading brand.

“It was therefore important to identify someone of high calibre to succeed David Gregory and, in Jim Moseley, I am confident that we have done so.”