Roger Kerr, OF&G’s energetic and high profile CEO, has announced his resignation after a 10-year tenure leading the UK organic certification body.

Chairman of OF&G’s Board, Richard Thompson, expressed his thanks for Kerr’s commitment to the organic sector and recognised his impact and influence.

“Roger has been instrumental in OF&G’s growth in stature and recognition as the organic certifier responsible for certifying over half of the UK’s overall organic land area.”

“He has remained true to organic’s core principles, delivering high quality certification services while championing the sector and taking a pragmatic approach to protecting the interests of the organic farming community.

“As a highly respected figure within the wider agricultural industry, I’d personally like to express my gratitude for Roger’s hard work, leadership and accomplishments,” adds Mr Thompson.

“I’m incredibly proud of what OF&G and all that the team has achieved, but now is the time for me to explore other personal business and consultancy opportunities”

Roger Kerr is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will remain in post until a successor is appointed. He said: “I’m incredibly proud of what OF&G and all that the team has achieved, but now is the time for me to explore other personal business and consultancy opportunities. I am also looking forward to finding more time to spend with my family and grandchildren”.

“I would like to extend my thanks to my exceptional team and to the OF&G Board for their guidance and support.”

“You have been a great leader steering the work and organic movement carefully but with passion and you will be very much missed, Roger”

The OF&G Board is now seeking to appoint a successor.

Industry colleagues and friends have been responding to the announcement. Posting on LinkedIn, Green & Black’s and Whole Earth founder, Craig Sams, commented on the “superb way” Kerr had “embellished and grown” OF&G and thanked him for “doing so much for the organic movement as a whole”. Mark Smith director at NATRUE, praised Kerr’s “steadfast commitment to the organic sector”. Food campaigner and strategist, Vicki Hird, said of Kerr that he had been “a great leader, steering the work and organic movement carefully but with passion”, while the farming journalist, Caroline Stocks, praised his “enthusiasm and pragmatic approach to driving change”.