Our People

Richard Stanbury, Agri assist Chairman

Richard has been DCD Vice Chairman since 2008, a Director from inauguration in 2004.

He has led a proactive stance within DCD to develop complementary initiatives to DCD’s core responsibilities, encouraging the pioneering work to build a Carbon Footprint Tool, ‘by farmers, for farmers’. With the Carbon Trust validated tool now within Agri assist Ltd, and as it’s first Chairman, Richard looks forward to leading this and additional projects for the future.

Richard is a former dairy farmer; he is still very much engaged in agriculture, establishing his own rural consultancy company providing clients with specialist advice in diversification, environment and business strategy.

In addition, Richard continues to farm, marketing free range eggs to Waitrose and the rearing of calves for a specialist beef company.

Mark Taylor, Agri assist Director

Mark has worked at Dairy Crest for 10 years, now as Milk Procurement Director. During this time he has held a number of senior positions, his previous role being Commercial and Marketing Director for the Dairies Division.

Before working at Dairy Crest Mark had already gained extensive experience throughout the dairy industry. After graduating from Seale Hayne Agricultural College, he worked on a number of farms in the UK and abroad before joining Express Foods. It was from here, in a quick succession from milkman to sales director, that he became part of the management buyout team for Wessex Dairies, which was later sold to Unigate and acquired by Dairy Crest in 2000.

David Herdman, Agri assist Director

David has been a Director of DCD since 2004, elected Vice Chairman in 2005 and it’s Chairman from 2007. In his DCD roles David has overseen a complete review of the DCD structure and operation, further integrating DCD’s influence across the dairy supply chain.

He also has a wealth of complimentary experience as a farmer representative in other roles, including with the NFU.

David farms a pedigree herd of 250 Holstein Friesians and 350 hectares of arable crops in Cambridgeshire.

Lyndsay Chapman, Agri assist Director

Lyndsay has worked at Dairy Crest for 9 years, now as Communications Manager for Milk Procurement. This brings responsibility for all aspects of communications regarding the raw milk Dairy Crest purchases, in addition to specific added value milk pools.

She has extensive experience within the dairy sector, having held a number of roles with other companies, including farmer cooperatives, prior to joining Dairy Crest.

Howard Organ, Agri assist Director

Howard has recently stepped down from the DCD Board after a period of six years as it’s Finance Director, and after serving as a representative for Dairy Crest direct suppliers for 12 years. His financial expertise is now channeled through Agri Assist as Finance Director. As an inaugural Agri assist Director, Howard brings a tremendous depth of business acumen following his tenure as Board member of the Agriculture Credit Corporation, NFU Council Member, Dairy UK Farmers Forum and senior responsibilities within the Worcestershire Health Authority.

Howard farms arable and beef enterprises within a family partnership in the Cotswolds.