Openfield appoints transport and supply chain logistics expert to its Board

Openfield Group, the British farmer-owned co-operative, has today announced it has further strengthened its non-executive management team by appointing, Ranald Forbes to its Board.
Mr Forbes has over thirty years’ of valuable senior leadership experience of logistics and transport distribution, working in a variety of management roles across both the retail and food manufacturing markets. Most recently he has been Group Supply Chain Director for AF Blakemore, the £1.2 bn retail, wholesale and foodservice organisation.

“My role at Openfield is a great opportunity for me to share my extensive supply chain experience to improve logistics and transport efficiencies,” he said. “I’m delighted to be working with Britain’s only national grain marketing and arable inputs co-operative to bring my wide ranging and comprehensive knowledge of running large scale distribution and related businesses to the team.”

Openfield’s Chairman, Philip Moody added “We must ensure that we have a diverse skillset in our senior leadership team to support the large and complex business of Openfield. We will always maintain a strong farmer presence on our Board, however we are also recognising the need to embrace further expertise. Ranald’s experience and passion for logistics and supply chain management will play a significant role in helping to further improve our service offering to both our farmer members and the great British food and drink brands that we supply.”

Mr Forbes has a Masters degree in Transport Planning & Engineering and his previous roles include being Managing Director at the Brakes foodservice group. He has also been Director of Construction for Wincanton PLC, the UK’s largest contract logistics company and he is a member of the Chartered Institute of Transport.