New Guild member Simon Bates was appointed in August to the post of communications director at London-based Dairy UK, the organisation that represents the interests of the United Kingdom dairy supply chain and whose members purchase and process approximately 85% of the milk produced in the UK.
“I’ve worked within dairy sector trade representation for almost 29 years,” Simon points out. “Previous positions include liquid milk manager and acting chief executive of the National Dairymen’s Association and secretary general of UNECOLAIT, the European Federation of Dairy Retailers.”
Simon has also had company secretary appointments at the Dairy Industry Federation (DIF), Dairy Industry Association (DIAL), Dairy Energy Savings Ltd, The Dairy Council and Dairy UK, building a wide portfolio of experience and responsibilities, including financial and corporate governance, internal and external communications, membership recruitment and administration, liquid milk and cheese issues, parliamentary lobbying and crisis and issues management.
“I’m also secretary to The Trehane Trust, which provides Scholarships through the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust for young people to undertake international travel to study dairy related topics,” he adds. “Outside work I have a number of interests that, apart from cooking, have nothing to do with dairy – rugby, cycling, radio and reading!”
