Peter steps back from export role after 24 years
Peter Hardwick, AHDB Head of Exports
AHDB’s Head of Exports Peter Hardwick will be leaving the organisation at the end of June after nearly a quarter of a century on the front line of international market work for red meat.
Having completed 24 years working for the levy board and its predecessors, Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) and EBLEX, he has decided to take a step back from the intensive world of international market development to pursue other professional interests, spend less time on the road and more on other interests.
Peter has spent almost all of his career in the farming industry, in agriculture and horticulture, and especially in the international meat industry.
“As you can imagine, heading an export team does involve a significant amount of travel and I would like to step back from that now to spend more time with my family and pursuing my hobbies, like restoring my old VW Beetle,” said Peter, who is based in Warwickshire.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the exports arena and am proud of the number of new markets we have opened for British red meat.
“It is not time for retirement yet and I do hope to still keep some involvement with the industry, but perhaps with less time on the front line!”
Over the years, Peter worked both in processing and international trade and exports in the UK, South America and Spain. He also worked in the fruit and vegetable processing sector in South Africa as well holding an international trading role with Del Monte.
Peter joined MLC in 1994, running its EU office in Brussels for 15 years, as well as taking on a lead exports role in 1999. He returned to the UK in 2010, taking up roles with EBLEX in UK and international market development, as well as BPEX’s export function. Peter became Head of Exports for AHDB in 2016.
AHDB International Market Development Director Dr Phil Hadley, said: “Throughout the past 24 years, Peter has made an invaluable contribution to the meat industry and to the development of exports in the meat and livestock sectors.
“Peter’s passion and deep expertise in his field have contributed to many of AHDB’s recent successes in opening new international markets, in particular in China for pork.
“We wish him good luck in this new chapter of his life.”