New director of operations and manager of the Hereford Cattle Society is Paul Sneyd who has worked for a number of agricultural and horticultural businesses.

Paul has spent the last two years working for Jupiter Group managing their grower portfolio and running a project in India. Prior to that, he was employed for eight years in a senior management role in Haygrove Growing Systems within Haygrove Ltd – a farming business supplying retailers with all year round berries in the UK, Europe, South Africa and China.

Originally from Staffordshire, Paul spent most of his childhood growing up and working on a dairy farm. On leaving home, he joined the Fleet Air Arm in the Royal Navy, where he trained and worked as an air engineer for five years. Following this, he studied agricultural marketing and business studies at Harper Adams University where he met his wife, Sarah, and together they live with their two children in rural Herefordshire.

“I am looking forward to getting my teeth into this role which has such scope and I relish the opportunity to work with an ambitious council and the wider membership, to grow and develop the society and Hereford cattle brand," said Paul.

“With my experience, passion for agriculture, there is real opportunity to progress and further enhance the great work already achieved alongside the team. Along with my personality and ability to communicate at all levels, my life’s experience in farming communities and agricultural businesses gives me a great foothold for the role I am taking on."

He added: “As we move into a changing landscape for farmers and the industry, it is imperative we continue to build a more profitable and sustainable industry, developing on the latest technologies in science and genetics. We must also make sure our communications and connections with the end consumer are strong and clear.”