An Oxfordshire farmer and dedicated conservationist has been appointed to the board of the South East England Development Agency.
Poul Christensen of Kingston Hill Farm, Kingston Bagpuize, will take up his role next month.
Although the role is not yet clearly defined, he expects rural issues to be high on his agenda.
He said: "I have been appointed on the basis of my rural and business knowledge.
"I am deeply committed to the Co-operative movement and to giving rural businesses more strength. As income from agriculture is declining the economic situation is changing daily."
Mr Christensen, 58, who was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1991 for services to agriculture, has run Kingston Hill Farm for the last 30 years with his father, Arnold, and latterly sons David and Toby.
He is a founder member of the Tenant Farmers' Association, and has served as chairman of agricultural organisations including the National Farmers' Union, the Oxfordshire Milk Committee and the Minister of Agriculture's South East Regional Panel.
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