Following an exceptional response to the charity’s recent trustee recruitment campaign, RABI has announced tow newcomers to the organisation.

Both Alan Davies and Delme Harries bring a wealth of complementary skills and experience to the farming charity’s council of trustees at a time of significant development both within agriculture and the charity.

Alan has worked extensively at a senior board level and has built valuable relationships across Wales, including in government and the public sector. A fluent Welsh speaker, he retired earlier this year from his role as group managing director of the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

“RABI is a fantastic institution and I’m keen to offer my experience to the whole of the organisation,“ he said. “With the charity, I would like to play an active part in supporting farmers through difficult and challenging circumstances,”

Delme Harries grew up on his family farm near Haverfordwest and, having joined his local YFC aged 12, has remained with the organisation ever since. He is currently chair of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC) board of management and is a life vice-president of the NFYFC of England and Wales.

Delme said: “Through my involvement with Young Farmers I know RABI is an organisation that is close to the hearts of many people. It’s an organisation that people look up to and are proud to be part of. I’m looking forward to being part of a support mechanism that looks after them.”

Delme has worked for the NFU Mutual for more than 30 years, in Pembrokeshire and from the company’s head office in Warwickshire.

Jeanette Dawson, chair of RABI, said: “We are fortunate to welcome Alan Davies and Delme Harries to join the RABI Council of Trustees at such a challenging time for farmers and an exciting period in the evolution of this 160-year-old charity.

"It was both humbling and gratifying to see our robust recruitment process attract such a strong and varied range of candidates from Wales. Delme and Alan offer a wealth of experience in the agricultural sector to supplement the strengths of the existing trustee board as we move forward to develop RABI’s support for farming people.”