John Sedgwick appointed Chair of UK Potato Processors’ Association
UK – John Sedgwick, UK Potato Supply Manager at Lamb Weston, has been appointed as the new chair of the UK Potato Processors’ Association (PPA).
Sedgwick brings a wealth of experience to the role, having focused extensively on growers and agronomy for a variety of fresh vegetable products, as well as frozen and dried potato goods throughout his career.
He succeeds Dan Hewitt, formerly of Valeo Snackfoods, and takes on this position during a period of significant challenges for the potato sector.
John Sedgwick expressed his commitment to advancing the association and supporting the industry.
“It is a privilege for me to take on the role of Chair for the PPA. The sector has seen many challenges emerge in recent years, and I hope to be able to continue to help drive the association, and the sector, toward its full potential,” he stated in a recent press release.
The PPA serves as the trade association for UK manufacturers of various potato products, including frozen chips, potato crisps, and dehydrated potatoes.
It includes the Frozen and Chilled Potato Processors’ Association (FCPPA) and the Snack, Nut, and Crisp Manufacturers’ Association (SNACMA).
Collectively, PPA members purchase around 1.47 million tonnes of potatoes annually, accounting for approximately 94% of all potatoes processed into these products within the UK.
Andrew Curtis, Director General of the PPA, welcomed Sedgwick’s appointment. “I am delighted to welcome John to the role of Chair. John is widely known and respected within the UK potato sector, and I look forward to the energy and experience that he will undoubtedly bring to the role. Growers and processors in the UK have faced many challenges over the past few years,” Curtis noted.
These challenges include storage issues, agricultural water shortages, flooding, access to land, seeds, and labor, increased costs, and access to fertilizers.
Curtis emphasized the importance of Sedgwick’s leadership in representing the sector and raising the profile of the association amid these ongoing issues.
The potato processing sector employs over 13,000 people directly in the UK, with additional dependent jobs in the farming sector more than doubling this number.
The sector makes a significant contribution to the UK’s manufacturing base. In 2022, the value of the UK processed and prepared potatoes market was estimated at more than GBP 2.7 billion, excluding food service.
The sliced potato crisps market was valued at an additional GBP 1.47 billion, while the entire savory snacks sector, including cereal, nut, popcorn, and meat-based snacks, had a combined retail value of GBP 4.05 billion (USD 5.2 billion) in 2023.
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John Sedgwick appointed Chair of UK Potato Processors’ Association
UK – John Sedgwick, UK Potato Supply Manager at Lamb Weston, has been appointed as the new chair of the UK Potato Processors’ Association (PPA).
Sedgwick brings a wealth of experience to the role, having focused extensively on growers and agronomy for a variety of fresh vegetable products, as well as frozen and dried potato goods throughout his career.
He succeeds Dan Hewitt, formerly of Valeo Snackfoods, and takes on this position during a period of significant challenges for the potato sector.
John Sedgwick expressed his commitment to advancing the association and supporting the industry.
“It is a privilege for me to take on the role of Chair for the PPA. The sector has seen many challenges emerge in recent years, and I hope to be able to continue to help drive the association, and the sector, toward its full potential,” he stated in a recent press release.
The PPA serves as the trade association for UK manufacturers of various potato products, including frozen chips, potato crisps, and dehydrated potatoes.
It includes the Frozen and Chilled Potato Processors’ Association (FCPPA) and the Snack, Nut, and Crisp Manufacturers’ Association (SNACMA).
Collectively, PPA members purchase around 1.47 million tonnes of potatoes annually, accounting for approximately 94% of all potatoes processed into these products within the UK.
Andrew Curtis, Director General of the PPA, welcomed Sedgwick’s appointment. “I am delighted to welcome John to the role of Chair. John is widely known and respected within the UK potato sector, and I look forward to the energy and experience that he will undoubtedly bring to the role. Growers and processors in the UK have faced many challenges over the past few years,” Curtis noted.
These challenges include storage issues, agricultural water shortages, flooding, access to land, seeds, and labor, increased costs, and access to fertilizers.
Curtis emphasized the importance of Sedgwick’s leadership in representing the sector and raising the profile of the association amid these ongoing issues.
The potato processing sector employs over 13,000 people directly in the UK, with additional dependent jobs in the farming sector more than doubling this number.
The sector makes a significant contribution to the UK’s manufacturing base. In 2022, the value of the UK processed and prepared potatoes market was estimated at more than GBP 2.7 billion, excluding food service.
The sliced potato crisps market was valued at an additional GBP 1.47 billion, while the entire savory snacks sector, including cereal, nut, popcorn, and meat-based snacks, had a combined retail value of GBP 4.05 billion (USD 5.2 billion) in 2023.
For all the latest fresh produce industry news updates from Africa, the Middle East, and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.