The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) will now resume it's search for a new Chief Executive to replace Chris Whetnall who was planning to retire this summer.

Ian Adams, who was appointed as Chief Executive Designate in February, has decided that he is unable to take up the post  for personal reasons. Mr Adams (46) had previously worked in the petrol chemical industry for Deep Sea Seals and latterly for Hamworthy Pumps.

In 2002, he was appointed Secretary-General of The International Bunker Industry Association, becoming Chief Executive in 2009, representing the Association at a wide-range of marine organisations worldwide including the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) . He had to relinquish the post, and set up his own marine consultancy, IMA Marine Ltd providing research, corporate governance, training and consultancy to a wide-range of clients in the marine sector.

The IAgrE recruitment panel wil meet over the coming weeks to decide on the next stage in the process to find a replacement for Chris Whetnall.