The 23rd Holstein UK Annual General Meeting has seen the election of a new president and three board members, with one existing board member re-elected.
At the recent meeting, John Jamieson was elected as the Society’s next president and will hold this position for a two-year term until June 2023. The trustees of Holstein UK have approved the name of Andrew Jones from the Rossett prefix as president elect.
John is the third generation to farm at Upper Locharwoods in Dumfries which has been in the family since 1952. The Firth prefix was registered in 1982 and today, John is supported in managing their 200 Holsteins by his son Graham. John and his wife Helen also have two daughters, Emma and Hannah, along with four grandchildren.
John has judged throughout the UK in breed and interbreed classes and herd competitions and his family have previously been heavily involved with Holstein Young Breeders.
Holstein UK chairman, Michael Smale, said: “On behalf of the Society, would like to thank Robert Clare on behalf of the Society for the time that he has given us over the past 12 months in what have sometimes been difficult circumstances for him to fulfil his duties. Robert has the distinction of being our first President to attend meetings via Zoom and I hope that he has enjoyed his time with us and that we will see him at our events in the future. I would a like to congratulate and welcome John Jamieson to his new post as Holstein UK President and I look forward to meeting with him at shows and events now that Covid-19 restrictions look to be easing”.
Following the end of their second terms on the Board of Trustees, Edward Griffiths (Yorkshire), Iwan Morgan (South Wales) and Jane Targett (Southern) have stood down from representing their regions.
Michael Smale commented: “Our three retiring trustees have all served their full eight years on the board and their knowledge and the time that they have given has been invaluable to the development of Holstein UK. On a personal note, I would like to thank them for the support that they have given me as Chairman and the kindness they have shown to me from the day I first came onto the Board.”
Following the end of his first term on the Board, Sandy Pirie will represent Scotland for another term of four years.
Three new trustees were welcomed – David Lawson, Richard Thomas and Ben Yates – who will join the Board to continue the work of promoting and lobbying for the benefit of our members as the Society starts to develop new technologies, new programmes and services for the members.
