Capper moves to chair British Berry Growers after eight years at the helm, as Donovan says she is “ready to go” on Hort Sector Growth Plan
Claire Donovan has officially taken over as the new executive chair of British Apples and Pears Limited (BAPL), succeeding Ali Capper after eight years at the helm.
Donovan’s appointment was officiated at the National Fruit Show held on 4 November in Kent, following a three-month handover period.
Capper has moved to chair British Berry Growers (BBG), taking over from Nick Marston.
Donovan told FPJ she felt “incredibly grateful” to succeed Capper, whose “wealth of experience and advocacy for the industry has been so valuable”.
She brings extensive experience across the food and horticulture sectors, having held roles including CEO of the Modern Slavery Intelligence Network, technical director of G’s and positions within Tesco and Marks & Spencer.
Donovan added she will bring a different set of life experiences and a range of industry relationships to the role, having worked with growers since 1997.
“It’s a fabulous industry and I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to work with growers that I was familiar with when I first started,” she said.
Donovan’s appointment, announced in August this year, followed an extensive selection process involving several candidates, with the board conclusing that her breadth of experience, leadership skill and knowledge of the sector made her the right candidate.
Passing the baton
At the Show, Capper reflected on eight years leading BAPL, which she described as a “rollercoaster” period during which the sector navigated Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, inflation and increasingly extreme weather volatility.
“I took on this role back in 2018, and looking back, it has not been a quiet eight years,” she said. “This industry has faced one challenge after another. And yet, when I look at what we’ve achieved together, I feel enormous pride.”
A key priority for Donovan will be continuing Capper’s work with Defra on the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan, which is expected to be published in early 2027.
BAPL led the work on audit burden, labour, exports, research and development, tax reliefs, and health and nutrition messaging.
Capper said: “This is detailed, unglamorous work that rarely makes headlines but makes a real difference to what a grower sees on their balance sheet.”
Donovan said she was “ready to go”, but urged that delivering the plan would require significant collaboration across the industry and government.
“It will be a huge piece of work, and making sure we support Defra and the NFU to communicate with other government departments that are under pressure to get the support that we need,” she added.
Other key priorities include urging retailers to reduce audit burden on growers, ensuring winter rainfall is captured to replenish reservoir levels ahead of a potentially dry year in 2027, and continuing to support growers with planning, labour and energy challenges.
Reflecting on her move to BBG, Capper said that the challenges and opportunities facing berry growers were “almost identical” to those in the apple and pear sector.
“What I’ve heard from the growers I’ve met this summer convinces me that the opportunity ahead is enormous, not just for apples and pears but for the fruit sector generally,” she said.
“Collaboration and that collegiate spirit is crucial to our future.”
