Helen Herniman appointed chief executive at AHDB

Qualified chartered accountant and experienced industry leader Helen Herniman has been appointed as the new chief executive of the AHDB.

She will take up her appointment on 5 January 2026, replacing the current interim CEO, Janet Swadling, who will lead the handover process before leaving the AHDB in January.

See also: Graham Wilkinson to step down as AHDB chief executive

Ms Herniman has several years’ executive experience in both the public and private sectors, including a spell as chief finance officer for the Law Society and, most recently, as acting CEO for the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

According to an AHDB statement, she has experience in “leading organisations through growth, turnaround and transformation”.

Helen Herniman © AHDB

Speaking about her appointment, Ms Herniman said: “I’m delighted to be joining an organisation that has a key role in an industry that produces safe, sustainable and nutritious food.

“My predecessors and the brilliant team at AHDB are making great progress in supporting and championing our world-class farmers and producers and there is plenty more to come.”

AHDB chairman Emily Norton praised Ms Herniman’s “strategic insight”.

“She brings a proven track record of leadership, innovation and service delivery in the regulated and private sectors, experience that will be invaluable as we continue to deliver on our sector strategies and for our levy payers.”

The previous full-time AHDB chief executive was Graham Wilkinson, who announced his resignation in May of this year, at about the same time as Ms Norton took over from previous chairman Nicholas Saphir.