Dr Sinclair Mayne appointed Chief Executive of AFBI

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute has announced the appointment of Dr Sinclair Mayne as Chief Executive, with effect from 1 November 2016.

Dr Mayne has been Director of AFBI’s Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division since February 2013, having previously been Departmental Scientific Adviser with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2009.

In welcoming Dr Mayne to the post, Mr Colm McKenna, Chair of the AFBI Board stated “Dr Mayne has an excellent track record in agri-food research and a strong international profile, recognised in his leadership of the team which recently hosted the highly successful European Federation of Animal Science Conference here in Belfast.  His knowledge of, and connection with, the local and international agri-food industry will enable him to further develop and enhance AFBI’s reputation for excellent science supporting the wider agri-food industry and rural economy.  The AFBI Board recognises the need for ongoing change within the organisation and we are fully confident in Sinclair’s ability to take AFBI to the next stage.”

Dr Mayne said “I am pleased to be appointed as Chief Executive of AFBI.  I look forward to working with my colleagues in AFBI, and with stakeholders to ensure that we provide world leading science to support the local agri-food industry in producing safe, healthy and nutritious food through sustainable production systems”.

Dr Mayne graduated in agriculture from Queen’s University, Belfast and undertook his PhD at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ARINI) at Hillsborough.  He was then appointed leader of the dairy research programme at the Grassland Research Institute in Devon, England, before returning to ARINI as Head of Dairy Research in 1987.  He was appointed Director of ARINI in 2002 prior to its incorporation into AFBI in 2006.

Dr Mayne was appointed Departmental Scientific Adviser with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2009, and returned to AFBI in 2013 as Director of Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division.

Dr Mayne is recognised internationally for his research on grassland and milk production and is a past President of both the British Grassland Society and the British Society of Animal Science.  He has published over 100 scientific papers, is a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and received the Princess Royal Award in 2013 from the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.

Notes to editors: 

AFBI carries out high quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DAERA and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies.

AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland …  serving the world”.

All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office

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