NFU Mutual has appointed Sarah Simpson to its board as a non-executive director with effect from September 2, 2024.
The rural insurer said Simpson has a distinguished career in rural policy, amassing over 20 years of “invaluable experience”.
She graduated in agriculture, forestry and rural economics from the University of Edinburgh in 1996, before spending more than a decade in senior positions at the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland (NFUS).
Simpson is a member of the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board, a farmer-led group established to support the Scottish government’s policy reform, and is a trustee of the Hannah Dairy Research Foundation.
She has also previously held an advisory position with the Scottish government’s National Council of Rural Advisers, exploring the opportunities Scotland’s rural economy presents.
In 2017, Sarah became director of Simpson Farms Ltd, where she oversees the financial management and strategic planning of a family dairy farm alongside her husband.
She has been a member of the board at Tarff Valley, an agricultural merchant, since 2022.
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the understanding, efficiency, and well-being of UK agriculture, Sarah was awarded a Fellowship by the Royal Agricultural Societies in 2023.
Appointment
NFU Mutual chair, Jim McLaren, said: “I am delighted to welcome Sarah to NFU Mutual’s board.
“Sarah’s extensive knowledge of the agricultural sector and rural policy, gained over many years, is complemented by her experience on various boards and her hands-on involvement in running a highly successful family farming business.
“This experience equips Sarah to be a valuable asset to NFU Mutual as we continue to adapt to the evolving insurance demands of the farming sector and the wider rural economy.”
Simpson said: “As the UK’s leading rural insurer, NFU Mutual is dedicated not only to supporting its members, but also to protecting the wider rural community and their livelihoods through numerous initiatives.
“I am delighted to be joining NFU Mutual and look forward to contributing to their impactful work in rural areas.”
