New non-executive director for Fengrain

Cambs-based grain co-operative Fengrain has announced the appointment of Ian Douglas, former Group Managing Director of Allied Grain Group, as a non-executive director.

Ian joined the board with effect from 7 December as part of a broad strategy by Fengrain to further strengthen both the governance of the company and its position in the market. Chief Executive, Mark Isaacson has also joined the Fengrain main board.

Announcing the moves, Fengrain Chairman, John Clarke said: "We are delighted to welcome Ian Douglas to the Fengrain board. He has been involved in the grain and related sectors for more than 30 years and has wide experience of corporate affairs and risk management. He will bring great expertise to our boardroom that can only be to the long-term benefit of the co-operative, its members, suppliers and customers.

"Mark Isaacson's appointment to the board is a planned move to further strengthen our corporate governance. Mark has now been with Fengrain almost one year and has settled well into our business.

"Fengrain has had a very good autumn and is continuing to develop both its membership and its traded tonnage. These board appointments will give us further impetus for growth."

Ian Douglas joined RHM Agriculture in 1974 before joining ABF plc in 1983 to help establish Allied Grain, initially as Managing Director in Scotland and then from 1990 - 2002 as Group Managing Director during which time the Group established itself as the UK's leading arable merchant. He retired as a director of ABNA Ltd, part of ABF plc, in 2003.

Ian is now a non-executive director of SAC Ltd, Scotland's leading business in the agricultural research, advisory and education sector and a director of the HGCA in addition to running his own business consultancy, Ian Douglas Associates. He is a registered arbitrator with AIC for whom he chairs the Contracts and Arbitration Committee.