R&KE committee for cereals and oilseeds needs new members

We are seeking two additional members to join our newly established Research & Knowledge Exchange (R&KE) Committee.

The R&KE Committee is a subcommittee of the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council. It oversees the delivery of an R&KE programme designed to encourage, capture and deliver against levy payer research needs.

Set up earlier this year, a core part of the committee’s remit is to commission robust R&D projects.

The committee evaluates all proposed activities to ensure they deliver against sector-plan priorities and offer value for money, before putting budget recommendations forward to the sector council.

Specifically, the committee:

• Considers levy payer ideas for R&KE activities
• Reviews R&KE research proposals
• Makes R&KE funding recommendations (to the sector council)
• Oversees R&KE activities

Four sector council members and AHDB staff already sit on the committee. There are currently two vacancies for independent members (levy payers or other stakeholders) to strengthen the committee.

Ana Reynolds, who is responsible for the R&KE programme at AHDB, said:

“It is a critical time to shape AHDB’s R&KE priorities. The new committee members will help AHDB continue to capture levy payers’ investment ideas and respond to them appropriately.

"We want to hear from any levy payers interested in driving innovation in the sector through advising on AHDB’s research and innovation priorities and commissioning approach.”

Applicants must be able to support the development, review, implementation and evaluation of independent R&KE activities.

They must also help make sure that activities provide value for money, align with the sector plan and are delivered within budgets agreed by the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council.

Applicants are also expected to:

• Not be a member of the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council
• Have practical experience of the production of UK cereals and/or oilseeds
• Declare any potential conflicts of interest
• Commit to a three-year term (with the option to serve a second three-year term)
• Participate in meetings (mostly online), provide written feedback and vote on key decisions

The R&KE Committee meets four times per year. Members are expected to attend at least 75% of meetings each year.

AHDB will reimburse committee members for reasonable expenses to cover costs during their terms.

Applications, comprising a brief covering letter (describing the applicant’s interest and what they believe they can offer the committee) and CV (or any enquiries), should be sent to Ana Reynolds (07387 015465): ana.reynolds@ahdb.org.uk

The application deadline is 30 November 2024.

Interviews will take place online during the winter, with successful applicants participating in the first meeting of the R&KE Committee in 2025.