Kit Papworth elected as new chairman of NFU Sugar
6th March 2025
Kit Papworth has been elected as the new NFU Sugar’s board chairman, with Simon Smith being re-elected to the position of vice chairman.
Mr Papworth is a director of LF Papworth Ltd, a contract farming business based near Aylsham in Norfolk farming 1250 hectares on behalf of over 20 different landowners, as well as Tuttington Farms Ltd.
Mr Papworth was a board member of Anglia Farmers for 12 years and was chairman from 2011 to 2014, retiring from the board to chair the subsidiary AF Logic until its sale in 2017.
He joined the NFU Sugar Board in 2020 and has covered various briefs, including Red Tractor, BBRO Stakeholder Committee and contract negotiation.
Mr Papworth said: “Our industry is facing a period of significant change, from trade deals and plant protection regulations to the challenges posed by unpredictable weather.
“To secure a strong future for the homegrown sugar sector, I am determined to collaborate across the industry to advance solutions for virus yellows and ensure a fair, sustainable price for growers.”
‘Fantastic farm-to-factory story’
Simon Smith, a sugar beet grower on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border, has been re-elected as the vice chairman.
He is one of the biggest sugar beet growers in the country and has been on the NFU Sugar board since 2015, after completing the Sugar Industry Programme.
On announcing the election results he said: “The home-grown sugar industry is one of the most efficient in the world, with a fantastic farm-to-factory story. I’m proud to represent growers alongside Kit, and I look forward to continuing the hard work that has been my pleasure to undertake alongside Michael Sly.
“There are plenty of areas that are of critical importance to growers, from plant protection products and seed to haulage and sustainability, and I’m looking forward to continuing my work on behalf of beet growers.”
Alison Lawson has also been elected as Beet Reception chairwoman.
Read more sugar beet news.
