Knowledge Exchange contacts for AHDB Beef & Lamb are shown below. Find out which region you are in by viewing the regional map.
Clive Brown, Head of Knowledge Exchange
Clive has a practical farming background and spent nearly 20 years working for livestock marketing co-operatives, giving him an in-depth understanding of the supply chain. His current role as Head of Knowledge Exchange is one of industry relations and development, liaising with all relevant stakeholders, including primary producers.
T: 01904 771214
Joseph Keating, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager
Originally from County Galway, Ireland, Joseph previously worked for Teagasc as Good Farm Practice Advisor and then the National Farmers Union as a National Livestock Adviser.
M: 07972 622 613
Samantha Charlton, Knowledge Exchange Manager – North East ( Maternity leave)
Sam brings with her a wealth of experience in agriculture, having previously worked at the NFU Mutual and as a County Advisor for NFU Northumberland & North Durham. As part of her former role, she was also secretary for the NFU North East Livestock Board, where she worked with members on key livestock policy issues, as well as supporting on issues surrounding animal health.
M: 07717 501 564
Neil Pickard, Knowledge Exchange Manager – North East
Neil grew up on a livestock farm in Wensleydale. He worked as a livestock consultant with ADAS for over 20 years in Cumbria, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire before returning to Yorkshire. Recently he has been involved in the LEADER and Farm Productivity Grant Schemes as a self-employed consultant before being appointed as the AHDB Beef & Lamb Knowledge Exchange Manager for Yorkshire and the North East.
M: 07823 790443
Amy Hughes, Knowledge Exchange Manager – East & West Midlands
Amy Hughes grew up on a suckler and sheep farm in North Yorkshire. Amy has a strong background in cattle reproduction and breeding as well as animal health and dairy beef. She is the first point of contact for Levy payers in the East and West Midlands.
M: 07805 804806
Liz Ford, Knowledge Exchange Manager – North West
Liz comes from a mixed farm in Cheshire and previously worked as a rural practice surveyor for a firm of auctioneers before joining AHDB Beef & Lamb. Liz has an in depth understanding of the supply chain and a technical background in meat quality.
M: 07779 322120

Nicola Renison, Knowledge Exchange Manager – North West
Nicola grew up on a dairy farm in Shropshire, with a strong practical background combined with roles at National Milk Reords and Schering-Plough, she is now based in Cumbria on an upland sheep and beef Farm. Having had a previous role within the Farmbench team at AHDB, Nicola is now first point of contact for levy payers in the North West.
M: 07990441679
Sarah Pick, Knowledge Exchange National Assistant
Sarah Pick, a beef farmer’s daughter from North Yorkshire, recently joined the AHDB Knowledge Exchange team as National Assistant. Following a role in the AHDB’s animal science team, Sarah has developed an in-depth knowledge of beef production and previously carried out the Farm Business Survey across Yorkshire.
T: 01904 771215
Nerys Wright, Knowledge Exchange Manager – South East & East
Nerys grew up on a beef and sheep farm in Wales and joined AHDB after working as livestock consultant at ADAS and a county advisor for the NFU. Nerys has a strong technical background in sheep production (nutrition, body condition scoring, worm control and lameness) and is currently AHDB’s Knowledge Exchange Manager for the South East and East regions. Nerys is a qualified farm animal SQP (suitably qualified person). She is also studying for a PhD in sheep body condition scoring and its impact on flock performance.
M: 07891 187 643
Leah Shanks, Knowledge Exchange Manager – South West
Leah joins AHDB with a technical background having gained an MSc in Veterinary Microbiology from the University of Surrey. Leah previously worked in policy and communications for the Antimicrobial Resistance team at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and is currently the Beef & Lamb Knowledge Exchange Manager for the South West.
M: 07979943392