Duff Burrell, from Broome Park, near Alnwick in Northumberland is the new chairman of the National Beef Association.

Duff Burrell (left) with his Aberdeen Angus cattle

He was elected after a board of management meeting following the Association's AGM on June 29th and replaces founder chairman Robert Robinson who held the position since the NBA was launched in 1998.

Mr Burrell is well respected as a breeder and finisher of Aberdeen Angus beef. He runs a 195 cow herd along with 600 breeding ewes on 1,000 owned acres at the edge of the Cheviots.

Before he became NBA chairman Mr Burrell was vice-chairman of the NBA's Northern Council and chairman of its successful Beef 2002 event at Wooler.

One of his first aims is to increase the NBA's membership income and to establish close links with its seven regions.

"The NBA has already established itself as an effective and forward looking organisation for beef farmers and has been especially successful on both the political and cattle health fronts," he said.

"I will be working with all its regional and national committee chairmen to set in train new developments that will help our members move into profitable production and secure the future of their businesses."

Robert Robinson remains on the NBA board as representative of its North of England region.