AFBI is managed by a Board which has responsibility for providing strategic leadership for the organisation, ensuring that it fulfils the delivery objectives agreed with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and for promoting the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources by AFBI.
The main responsibilities of the Board are:
- to ensure that AFBI meets its agreed objectives and targets as set by the DAERA Minister, and set down in the Management Statement and Financial Memorandum;
- to provide strategic leadership in the formulation of AFBI’s strategy for the discharge of its responsibilities, taking account of the Minister’s and DAERA’s priorities, as outlined in the science and technology strategies and in Service Level Agreements (SLAs) set by DAERA and other AFBI customers;
- to ensure that effective arrangements are in place to provide assurance to DAERA and the Minister on risk management, governance and internal control;
- to communicate AFBI’s strategy and services to stakeholders in Northern Ireland and beyond;
- to understand and articulate science and research and development needs and advise the Chief Executive on drawing these requirements into the formulation of a strategic plan for AFBI;
- to oversee AFBI’s functions, including encouragement of the highest standards in the disbursement of finance, and the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources throughout AFBI;
- to represent AFBI to its key audiences, for example, industry, academic institutions and other research providers, locally, nationally and internationally.
- to engage with the Minister and DAERA on matters pertaining to the work of AFBI and its strategic direction and input to the overall DAERA strategic objectives.
- to identify and assess current and future developments in the agri-food and rural economy sector, and to recommend opportunities to expand into new markets and innovations to meet customers’ needs.
