Defra has appointed former NFU chairman Peter Kendall as the new chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), for a three-year term.

He takes over the role following the completion of John Godfrey's term in office at the end of March.

Farming minister George Eustice said: "Peter Kendall has considerable experience of the farming and food industry so is well placed to take AHDB forward. I would like to thank John Godfrey for all his hard work."

Kendall said: "I believe AHDB must be central to providing farmers and growers with the tools required to deliver growth over the coming years.

"John Godfrey and his team have worked hard to drive synergies and reduce administrative costs to levy payers, and it is essential that this work continues."

Last month Kendall was also named as the new president of the World Farmers Organisation (WFO).