Reappointment of Chair and five Members to the Board of the Northern Ireland Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC)

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has today announced the reappointment of the Chair and five Members of the Board of the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) to a second term of three years.

Joseph Stewart OBE has been reappointed as Chair from 4 September 2026 to 3 September 2029 and John Hood, David Mark, Sean McKeever, David Torrens and Elaine Willis have been reappointed as Members from 23 October 2026 to 22 October 2029.

The LMC is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The LMC assists the development of the livestock (cattle and sheep) and livestock products sectors of the local agri-food industry by providing a range of services to producers and meat traders including market intelligence and promotional activities. The LMC also administers the Farm Quality Assurance Scheme and market support arrangements for beef and lamb in the north of Ireland.

Notes to editors:

1. The LMC was established under the Livestock Marketing Commission Act (NI) 1967 to examine and recommend improvements in the marketing of livestock and livestock products.
2. The Chairperson post requires approximately 48 days per annum is remunerated at £19,851 per annum. Member positions require approximately 30 days per annum are remunerated at £7,435 per annum.
3. The appointees have previously served a first term of three years from 4 September 2023 to 3 September 2026 (Chair) and from 23 October 2023 to 22 October 2026 (Members).
4. Joseph M Stewart OBE, LLB, JP, is retired and brings significant experience from the private and public sector, having held positions in the Engineering Employers Federation, Harland & Wolff, Police Authority (NI) and PSNI (in a non-police role). Joseph has served as an LMC Board Member since 2021 and is a Non-Executive Director of the Business Service Organisation and a Member of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) Board. Joseph was awarded an OBE for Public Service in 1994.
5. John Hood had over 23 years in-depth experience in investment, marketing, and economic development until his retirement in 2023. For his last 10 years he was the Director of the Food; Drink & Tourism Division at Invest NI where he delivered significant growth across the food and drink sector, as well as delivering major tourism accommodation infrastructure for Northern Ireland. He currently serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Tourism Northern Ireland where he is also a member of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.
6. David Mark has a broad range of experience across the agri-food sector. Throughout his career he has worked directly with producers and major customers on agricultural technical areas. He currently serves on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) NI Advisory Group and is Chair of the Trade Exhibits Committee in the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society.
7. Sean McKeever is a Chartered Accountant and has substantial strategy, finance and governance experience within health and personal social services and NHS organisations. He also brings on farm experience as a producer of beef.
8. David Torrens is a partially retired vet who has an in-depth knowledge of the agriculture sector through his role as Director of DAERA's Veterinary Service Animal Health Group. He has extensive experience in the public sector, including in corporate governance and financial and risk management. He currently serves as the Northern Ireland representative on the British Veterinary Association's Policy Committee and as a member of the Food Standards Agency's Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee (NIFAC).
9. Elaine Willis is an Account Director and brings significant experience in the agri-food processing industry, including new product development, business development and sales and marketing. Elaine represents the red meat processing sector on the College of Agriculture Farming and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Advisory Group.
10. The appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice.  
11. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. The appointees have not been involved in any political activity during the past five years.