Tesco appoints agriculture director from NFU following horsemeat scandal

The supermarket’s chief executive Philip Clarke said at the NFU Conference in February that the grocer would be introducing new measures, including the appointment of an agriculture director, to build its relationship with farmers and producers in the UK and around the globe.

The measures were set out following the discovery of horsemeat in food labelled as beef in some of its products.

Hind, who has worked at the NFU for 15 years and was most recently director of corporate affairs, will head up Tesco’s new agriculture team, which consists of agriculture experts for each area of farming including proteins, fishing and horticulture.

He will act as the main point of contact between Tesco’s commercial teams and farmers across the UK, contribute to building sustainable farms and be responsible for the supermarket’s work in animal welfare.

Hind will take up the new role later this year.

Tesco commercial director Kevin Grace said: “Tom is a respected figure in British agriculture and will bring with him a huge amount of hands-on farming experience. His relationship with farmers will ensure their views continue to be heard throughout Tesco.”

NFU director general Andy Robertson said: “Back in February Tesco made a commitment to work more closely with farmers and to source more British food. I see this role, and Tom’s appointment, as a very large step towards delivering on that promise.”