Nigel Jenney to step down as FPC chief executive

Fresh Produce Consortium chief executive Nigel Jenney will step down in early 2027, the trade organisation has announced.

His departure – which the FPC said will follow ”a planned and structured transition period” – was taken jointly by Jenney and the board to “ensure long-term continuity, stability and strong succession planning for the organisation”.

Jenney will continue to lead FPC through the transition and will also remain involved in a non-executive director capacity after stepping down, providing ongoing strategic support and sector insight.

In tribute to Jenney’s work, FPC said that under his leadership it has “strengthened its position as the voice of the UK fresh produce, flower and plant supply chain, delivering tangible policy impact, including border reforms for the fruit, vegetable and flower sectors, relentless representation of industry interests in all aspects of trade and technical, and growing recognition as a trusted partner to government”.

Alongside this, FPC has improved its financial resilience, expanded its events portfolio, and enhanced its member services, it added.

The board has already commenced a formal recruitment process to appoint its next CEO. It stressed that the incoming leader will “inherit an organisation with a clear strategic direction, strong governance, a capable executive team and significant opportunity for future growth”.

Longstanding FPC chair Alan Forrester will oversee this transition and, on completion, will also stand down from the board to allow the appointment of a new chair to lead the consortium into the future.

Jenney and the board stressed that the group’s day-to-day leadership and advocacy activity will continue unchanged.

“This is a carefully planned evolution, not a departure,” said Jenney. “FPC is strong, influential and well positioned for its next chapter.”

Forrester added: “The board has full confidence in FPC’s stability, governance and future direction. The best days of FPC are ahead.”