AHDB exceeds two-year target saving £8.5m in operational costs
3rd April 2023
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) confirmed it has achieved the target of reducing operational costs by £7.8m by the end of the 2022/23 tax year, saving a total of £8.5m in a bid to offer better value for levy payers.
The AHDB outlined its commitment to reducing bureaucracy and costs over a two-year period in the Change Programme for 2021 to 2026.
The target includes non-pay related savings of £300,000, which has been achieved via the reduction in governance costs related to the horticulture and potatoes sectors as well as the closure of a satellite office and takes into account the investment in new roles.
Commenting on the achievement, AHDB chair Nicholas Saphir said: “I am pleased to confirm we have exceeded the savings target we set ourselves. This shows we are determined to build a leaner, more efficient organisation that delivers effectively and offers better value for money for levy payers.
“AHDB has been through a radical period of change and the recent launch of the new strategies for the Beef & Lamb, Cereals and Oilseeds, Dairy and Pork sectors underpin our commitment to listen and deliver.”
Mr Saphir added the key priority of the levy board remains making a positive difference to farm businesses and helping to grow British agriculture through the services levy payers across all sectors have considered most important.
“This includes supporting farmers to remain viable despite changes to farm support, protecting the reputation of our industry, improving animal health and welfare and identifying new export opportunities,” he noted.
The purpose of AHDB, which is a statutory levy board funded by farmers and others in the supply chain, remains to be a critical enabler, to positively influence outcomes, allowing farmers and others in the supply chain to be competitive, successful and share good practice, leading to improved business resilience and performance in the long term.
