Barbara Bray MBE FIFST is a Registered Nutritionist of African heritage currently researching diets to protect health of older adults at Queen’s University Belfast, under a programme to train PhD researchers in food systems. In 2017, Barbara was awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship and travelled worldwide to study international food and farming systems. In 2019, she was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for her 'Services to Food Nutrition’. She is a member of the board of Governors of Harper Adams University in Shropshire. Her work over the last 30 years has focussed on the food industry alongside leadership and educational roles in her public engagement activities.

Catherine’s career has followed the farm to fork theme, but in reverse. Her career started in food retail on the Tesco graduate scheme and after working as a store manager and learning that people are the heartbeat of any organisation, she decided to pursue a career in HR. She is now the NFU’s Director of People, providing strategic leadership on people and culture to ultimately supports the NFU's vision to create a better future for its farming members. She is also responsible for member development and creating a talent pipeline for future NFU office holders.

Chloe Ryan is a journalist specialising in food and farming, and has covered meat industry, the retail sector, and food manufacture in depth for nearly two decades. She has been editor of Poultry Business magazine since it was launched at the start of 2017.

Christine Middlemiss is the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer. She was appointed on 1 March 2018 having been working as the CVO in New South Wales, Australia since July 2016 where she led major improvements to biosecurity across many farming sectors. This work included implementation of new outcome focused, risk-based biosecurity legislation; online animal certification processes; improving evidence and risk-based disease control approaches.

Prior to moving to Australia, Christine led Defra’s Animal Traceability and Public Health policy team, and also previously surveillance including detection and response to new and emerging diseases such as Schmallenberg and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea. She is an experienced veterinarian. Before joining the UK government services in 2008, Christine worked in private practice with specific interest in research, meat processing and livestock genetics for several years in Scotland and the north of England prior to joining the Animal Health Agency (now part of Animal and Plant Health Agency) as a Divisional Veterinary Manager in Scotland.

Christine comes from a farming family in the Borders of Scotland, with a background in beef cattle and sheep.

Christine was appointed Visiting Professor of Practice by Harper Adams University in July 2019. Christine was awarded the Companion of the Order Bath (CB), by His Majesty King Charles, in the New Year 2023 Honours for her services to the Veterinary and Farming Sectors.

Currently the deputy head of agriculture for HSBC Bank UK, Grace had over 20 years working in the agriculture sector before joining HSBC in 2017. Her experience ranges from multinational agrochemical industry, policy work at the NFU, a thorough understanding of supply chains working with processors and retailers and supporting farming businesses across the UK.

Judith is a Biochemist, nutritionist, has Honorary Doctorates from Harper Adams University, and Jharkhand Rai University, is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the Royal Society of Arts and Manufactures (RSA) and a liveryman at The Worshipful Company of Butchers. Judith started her career in pharmaceuticals and teaching before finding her true vocation in food and farming. She worked in the food and drink industry for over 40 years starting in manufacturing at Bass and Mars, before moving into retail at Marks and Spencer and then Sainsbury’s as Director of Sainsbury’s Brand. Today Judith is Deputy Chair of The Environment Agency, Honorary President of the British Nutrition Foundation, Chair of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and sits on the European Advisory Council of The Nature Conservancy. Judith is also Co-Chair of the Eco Working Group that is part of Defra’s Food Data Transparency Partnership. She is also Chair of MicroSalt, The Rugby Players Association, and a Non-Executive Director of Monaghan Mushrooms and Daemon. Judith is a Trustee of The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, The Food Foundation, and an ambassador for the Woodland Trust and Farm Africa.

In her spare time along with her family, she is a keen rugby supporter of both Harlequins and England, and a patron of the Royal Ballet and English National Ballet.

Sarah Dean is the owner and Chair of Noble Foods, a company deeply rooted in her family’s history. Her great-grandfather founded the business, originally called Deans Farm, in 1920. She took over the leadership role in 2019 after the company returned to full family ownership. As Chair, Sarah works closely with the executive team, focusing on continuing the growth of Noble Foods while staying true to the company’s core values of animal welfare, sustainability, and innovation. Under her leadership, Noble Foods has expanded across business units and is on a pathway to secure B-Corp accreditation. Sarah also holds the position of CEO of Beeches Group, the investment vehicle of the Dean Family, which has interests in various sectors including food, agri-food technology, and property, while also engaging in philanthropic activities. Sarah is a Councillor on the Board of the World Egg Organisation (formerly the International Egg Commission), appointed in September 2023.

Sophie joined Myton Food Group in July 2023 as Technical and Sustainability Director. Myton Food Group has 19 sites across the UK and manufactures for a number of retail, food service and wholesale customers, including Morrisons, who Sophie joined in November 2017, following 10 years in the veterinary sector running research and training programmes.

Tonia Antoniazzi is the Labour MP for Gower. She was first elected in 2017 and re-elected for a second term in 2019. Tonia is Gower’s first female MP. Before becoming an MP, Tonia was a Modern Foreign Languages teacher. Tonia has taken a strong interest in farming issues since being elected. She has worked closely with NFU Cymru, as well as with Ulster Farmers Union during her time as Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland. Tonia has held several front bench roles. She currently serves in the Shadow Whips office.