Roger Lane-Nott bowed out as Chief Executive of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) at a Council Meeting held at Peterborough on 16 December.

He had been in the role for eight years and is succeeded by Ruth Bailey, who has been working in tandem with Roger since September.

Speaking to Service Dealer on his last day, Roger said, “The last eight years have flown by, and my role has been made even more enjoyable by the people. What a great industry this is. It has a stoic attitude to everything the commercial world throws at it.

“One of the pleasures of being CEO of the AEA has been the extraordinary contribution from member companies and their people. Despite their competitiveness, they have always looked to the common good. Every debate in meetings has always been argued with passion and logic - but with a clear view to the overall prosperity of the industry.

“One of the ongoing challenges is that land-based engineering as a whole has an image problem!  The perception in the UK is that agriculture is a dirty industry with unsocial hours, poor pay and a place for under achievers. That’s not true and apart from having a vital role in the country’s economy, agriculture in every respect is an advanced industry and we need the Government and the public to understand that.

“So we have a real challenge to present our industry, the manufacturers, dealers and infrastructure, in a much more forcible and consistent manner over the coming years.”

The industry is lucky to have had Roger as its talisman and spokesman over the past 8 years. He has worked tirelessly in the UK and Europe to ensure that its interests and concerns were heard and heeded. We thank him and wish him a satisfying and enjoyable retirement.

You can read the full text of the interview with Roger Lane-Nott on his retirement in the January/February 2015 issue of Service Dealer which will sent out on 29 December.