Wool Board’s New Chairman Puts Price and Promotion at Top of Agenda

British Wool prices are at a twenty five year high as the British Wool Marketing Board announces their newly elected Chairman.

Malcolm Corbett, Board Member for the English Northern region has taken on the reins from Frank Langrish, who had held the post for 11 years. Hugh Blythe of the Scottish Southern region is the elected vice-chairman.  The votes were cast by their fellow Board members and will bring a fresh team to the top of the table at a time when the market for wool has never been stronger.

Mr Corbett farms a hill farm in the Rede Valley in Northumberland close to the Scottish borders, running 620 ewes comprising Texel cross Lleyn and pure Lleyn breeds.  Having been a sheep farmer throughout his working life, he has also involved himself in the farming world at a strategic level. Mr Corbett brings his experience as Vice Chairman of the NFU National Livestock Board as well as his other roles as a board member for EBLEX and in representing the NSA and NBA.

Describing himself as no diplomat nor politically correct, he instead believes in accountability,         I will answer to the producer which is what this job is about.  The Board has had tough times but I firmly believe that it will go from strength to strength as the market improves.  It still offers the best way to sell wool, because the prices we are seeing now are a direct result of its auction system, which ensures that best price is achieved in a competitive environment.  Our results this season show that both clearance and price have improved consistently for over 18 months and most wool cheques will reflect the best returns for many, many years.

I am keen to see a lean and efficient business and we will refine the good work that has been done already.  The Board has adapted its depot structure considerably and now provides a lean and effective system of processing, all of which is helping to reduce costs.  Transport and collection continues to be adapted and I will focus on measures which decrease cost within this chain without loss of service.

We must also continue to promote our fibre as natural and sustainable and as the environmental agenda rises we have a wonderful opportunity to reposition wool.  The Campaign for Wool in which we are major players is now proving increasingly significant as it has huge industry and retailer support.

The future for wool has never looked better I hope that the sheep farmer of the UK understand that this is their organisation and we are there to represent their interests. It is vital that we all work together in supporting our Wool Board and that way we will ensure that the price advantage is ours.