British Potato Industry Award 2015

Vermont, pictured with Fell at the show

Nick Vermont has been crowned the 2015 British Potato Industry Award winner.

AHDB Potatoes announced the winner during the ‘Next Generation’ reception on its stand at BP2015, the potato industry event which runs today and tomorrow (12-13 November) in Harrogate, Yorkshire.

The McCain GBCEO was presented with the award by AHDB chairman Peter Kendall.

Chair of AHDB Potatoes, Fiona Fell told the audience on the stand: “Not only is Nick such a deserving winner, but it is particularly fitting that this award is presented to Nick in the company of some of our industry’s best and brightest ‘next generation’ here at BP today, demonstrating to them just how far a career in the potato industry can take you.

“Nick has given a huge amount of time and energy to drive value from the potato levy for the industry as a Board and Committee member. Involved since the inception of the Potato Marketing Board through British Potato Council days, and on to the newly-formed AHDB Potatoes, Nick’s experience, attention to detail and marketing expertise have proved invaluable to our industry over many years.'

Vermont joined McCain Foods in 1983, and held positions of increasing responsibility in the marketing departments of the British and Canadian businesses, working across different product categories and channels.

In 1991 he was promoted from marketing manager of McCain Foods GB to managing director of PAS (Grantham), the McCain division responsible for UK retailer label, Potato Products.

In 1998 he was appointed MD of McCain Foods (GB), and in 2004 took on the role of regional CEO.

As well as his GB and Ireland responsibilities, he has from time to time also looked after South Africa, Eastern Europe and overseen the establishment of the business' global commercial function.

Outside of McCain, when the British Potato Council was formed in 1997, he represented the processing sector and went on to serve on three BPC and two Potato Council boards, finally standing down in 2012. For many years, he was also chair of the marketing committee.

Vermont said: “I had the great privilege to work with Harrison and Wallace McCain and in particular, Mac McCarthy, founder of McCain GB.

“I learnt at an early age from these industry legends the inter-relationship between a thriving potato industry and McCain’s success, the need to work with everyone in the supply chain and - above all - to take the long-term view.”