Ian Munnery has been recruited to help drive forward the work of the LEP, a private sector-led organisation which works to create sustainable economic growth in Greater Lincolnshire.
He is General Manager and Director of SESVanderHave UK Ltd based in Wellingore near Lincoln, which is the UK arm of the world’s largest specialist breeder of sugar beet seed.
Ian said: “The Greater Lincolnshire region is an important asset to the agri-food sector and to the UK economy and environment.”
“I am passionate about our county and our agri-food sector because it continues to deliver sustainable and secure food production and processing for much of the UK.”
“I’m looking forward to being involved in the LEP’s plans for the agri-food sector and contributing to the growth of our county’s economy.”
Ian brings over 20 years’ practical agribusiness experience to the board both in the UK and at a European level. In his career he has held a range of technical and commercial roles working with a wide range of arable crops, with a strong focus on research and agri-technology innovation and how this can be leveraged to increase exports, productivity, profits and employment.
After studying for a degree in Botany and Microbiology at Royal Holloway & Bedford College, University of London and a postgraduate diploma in Crop Protection at Harper Adams University, Ian began his career in the early 1990s at Sharpes International Seeds in Sleaford as a combinable crop trader.
He moved to Fishers Seed & Grain, as an area manager in North Lincolnshire before joining the co-operative United Oilseeds, becoming Commercial Manager, where he spent 11 years.
Becoming General Manager of the UK division of SESVanderHave in 2012, he established it as the leading supplier of sugar beet varieties in the UK and at the forefront of agri-tech innovation.
In addition to his business activity, Mr Munnery has served on a number of industry boards, comittees and working groups involved in both technical developments and commercial activities in the agricultural sector.
Ursula Lidbetter MBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “We wanted to appoint a food industry leader who would be able to think strategically and take a broad view across the full range of issues affecting Greater Lincolnshire.
“Ian fulfils that requirement, and I’m delighted to welcome him to the LEP board.
“I am certain that Ian’s experience in every facet of the agri-food industry will bring additional strength to the board and benefit the whole region as we continue to develop the economy of Greater Lincolnshire.
“We have ambitious plans for the region as outlined in our recent Strategic Economic Plan and it is vital that we have the expertise to realise these ambitions over the coming years.”
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