NFU Cymru appoints new operations head

Welsh farming union NFU Cymru has appointed Iestyn Pritchard as its new head of operations.

Pritchard joins the senior leadership team at NFU Cymru and will work with the union’s county advisers and group secretaries team to oversee the group’s membership offer, including membership performance, connection and communications strategy across the organisation.

Pritchard, who is currently NFU Cymru’s county adviser for Anglesey, Mid Gwynedd and Meirionnydd, will take over the role from Kevin Owen, who now works within the NFU as head of network and subscriptions.

Pritchard is a former student of the Welsh Agricultural College in Aberystwyth and has a strong background and experience of both lowland and upland farming, NFU Cymru said.

Before joining NFU Cymru, he worked with the Economy and Community Department at Gwynedd Council as a regeneration officer. Prior to that, Pritchard worked as a YFC organiser in Anglesey before starting an 11-year stint providing business support to farming families. 

Commenting on his appointment, Pritchard said: “Welsh farming contributes hugely towards the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of Wales, as we once again embark on a significant period of change for the industry, these are key messages that need to be heard.

”As an organisation we have a responsibility to ensure that our members are well informed and engaged with policy delivery across a wide range of areas that affect their business. Central to this is ensuring that we have a strong and visible network for members to access, offering the best representation both locally and nationally through our established group secretary and county adviser network.”