Harper Adams students dine out

Declan Billington is CEO of leading animal feed manufacturer, Thompsons, and the current Chair of the NI Food and Drink Association. He is also the current Chair of the Northern Ireland Poultry Federation.

Mr Billington is a member of the Agri-Food Strategy Board and also represents Northern Ireland on the board of the leading UK based agricultural lobbying body, the Agricultural Industries Confederation. 

As well as an extensive track record in the agri-food sector, he has also sat on the Ministerial Energy and Manufacturing Advisory Group, advising the DETNI minister.  He has specialist experience in environmental regulation, leading NIFDA delegation meetings with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) which resulted in a prosperity agreement with the Agency.

Mr Billington has previously held a number of prominent industry positions including Chair of CBI Northern Ireland, Chair of the Economic Development Forum’s Skills sub group, and Chair of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association.  

During the course of the evening the Victor Truesdale Prize, a Tyrone Crystal Punch Bowl, specially commissioned by John Thompson and Sons Ltd in 2001 in memory of Victor Truesdale, the Sales Director of John Thompson & Sons Ltd who died that year, will be presented by Mr Billington.