Partner Article

Curry joins North East food board

Sir Donald Curry, a leading Government adviser on farming and food and member of the Council of Food Policy Advisors, who also farms 440 acres of arable and lowland grass in Northumberland, has become the chairman of the newly established Strategic Board of the North East England Food and Drink Group (NEEFDG).

The board aims to maximise the potential of the North East’s food and drink sector and its contribution to the regional economy.

Sir Donald will help ensure that the region’s food and drink sector is best placed to grow and thrive in national and international markets as the economy improves.

The food and drink group was established by One North East in 2007 to develop the important sector which is now worth in excess of £1.6bn to the region’s economy, employing more than 15,000 workers.

Sir Donald Curry said: “The North East’s food and drink sector is currently an emerging force in the UK market. I believe that the strength of our regional food offering, which incorporates a powerful combination of award winning producers, national retailers and top chefs, has the potential to become internationally renowned and a driving force for visitors to the North East, as well as a major contributor to the economic well-being of the region.

“I look forward to pursuing these goals in unison with the partner organisations that form the group and would like to thank the team at the lead partner Northumbria Larder for their excellent efforts and ongoing commitment to regional food and drink.”

Jack Jeffery, chairman of Northumbria Larder, said: “I would like to welcome Sir Donald Curry to the food and drink group and am delighted that he will be able to use his considerable expertise and influence in the position of chairman of the Strategic Board for the benefit of the North East food and drink sector.

“The Northumbria Larder team look forward to working with Sir Donald and to continuing their work building growth and sustainability in the region’s food and drink sector.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .