For 22 years I have had the pleasure, responsibility and privilege to have chaired our two Societies. During this time the business has grown and developed beyond what I thought was possible when I took the on the role back in 2000. I recently took the opportunity to look back at the minutes of the board meeting when I was first elected as your chairman and it surprised me to think back then we were a single site store with a commitment of 65,000 tonnes and about to start a period of rapid growth and development founded on the platform that the original directors had so ably built. All credit to them for forming the business and attracting farmers to join and the structures/articles/rules have stood the test of time and remain largely unchanged in substance. Our objectives remain unchanged too, albeit ambitions for the business by management and board has meant we now have further reach into the supply chains we service for the benefit of our members.

All of this could not have been achieved without the confidence the board has had in all you who have worked for us members over all the 40 years of Camgrain’s existence. As your retiring chairman I again thank all who have and continue to work for Camgrain. Each and every one of you should take credit for the success that Camgrain is today. You make it happen. Thank you so much.

There are not many businesses that I know who have retained the same manager/executive director for 40 years and who continues to work with the level of commitment that Philip continues to do today. Philip is an incredible individual and I look back fondly on the many occasions where we discussed/argued/agreed/disagreed but ultimately set an idea/vision for the business that the board could rally round and agree, albeit often after lengthy debate. Those years of rapid growth showed what could be achieved when you have capable and ambitious management and a board that ultimately supports those ambitions. It would be remiss of me not to thank Philip for the journey I have had with him over my years as chairman. There have been many successes, the odd setback and some sadness along the way but Philip’s grit, tenacity and determination is probably the main reason we find ourselves where we are today and still Philip continues to serve our interests well with his more recent involvement in overseeing the build out of the Navara oat milling business at our Northampton site. Thank you Philip. We could not have done it without you.

With the development of Camgrain into a multi site business it was inevitable the business would need to bring in additional management expertise at some stage as one man could not possibly take full responsibility for the oversight of a business like Camgrain had grown into. Therefore, in 2017 we brought in Simon Willis as our Group CEO and so a new era started for Camgrain with Simon joining the business that October. He rapidly made his mark within the business and it was his successful introduction that gave the confidence for the board to investigate the Navara project currently underway. Simon too is a huge asset to our business and again I would like to thank Simon for making my role as chairman such an enjoyable one since joining the business five and half years ago. Thank you Simon.

More recently, the board created the position of Group FD and Andrew Lawson joined our business and like Simon, Andrew has come in and made a huge contribution to the business. We have a finance and administration department that is working exceptionally well and helping the management and development of our business as we move forward. Andrew’s high standards and integrity have made a tremendous difference and contribution to the business. Thank you Andrew.

There are many other people I could write about, indeed I would have liked too but space precludes. You all know who you are and again I thank you all.

There are others who have helped me during my time as chairman. I have been fortunate to have served on a board of directors who have had the belief in me over the 22 years and their advice, encouragement, guidance and support I have really appreciated over the years. An effective board is one that makes good decisions and has the necessary skill set to do that. Thanks to all the present and past directors for all you have done in helping me and the business. It is really appreciated.

Although I have seen changes in who Camgrain Ltd market our crops with, we now have a very capable and secure principle marketing partner in Frontier Agriculture and without naming names there have been times when there help, support and guidance have helped me and the board enormously. They again know who they are and I very much appreciate what they have done particularly at the more challenging times. Simon Ingle too has been on the journey over the majority of my time as chairman. Marketing grain can at times be a thankless task but Simon has proved himself time and again and with great fortitude. I will always remember the occasion when Simon came to the board requesting to protect the pool by protecting prices on offer shortly after harvest when he was convinced the market would collapse from high prices then on offer. They did. Happy days Simon.

I would like now to turn my attention to our new chairman Carl Driver. Carl and I have enjoyed the same journey. We joined Camgrain at the same time. We joined the board at the same time and we have enjoyed the same journey over the years. Carl is unbelievably passionate about Camgrain. A true believer in all we do collectively and very committed with his and his farming clients investing into Camgrain over many years and this continues to be the case. Carl has given me tremendous support over the years and has had a very similar vision for the business as I have had. I have no doubt that Carl will come in as our new chairman with similar ambitions to when I did and will want to make his own mark on the business. It is now my job, as it is for all of us, to give him our full support in his new role. Good luck Carl, I am not sure you will need it as you have great knowledge of the business and a desire to do the best for our members and the people who work for us. You have my full support.

John Latham

Retiring Chairman