The UK Agri-Tech Centre is announcing that after a highly competitive recruitment process, Steve McLean has been appointed CEO, stepping into the role on 27 January 2026.

Steve is currently Head of Agriculture & Fisheries Sourcing at M&S and brings with him a wealth of executive experience, including developing and leading change.

He has a track record in the retail, agricultural and fisheries sectors, and has worked extensively across the supply chain.

In looking forward to his new role, Steve reflected:

“I’m honoured to be joining the UK Agri-Tech Centre at such a pivotal time for British agriculture."

“The sector is undergoing rapid transformation, and the organisation plays a vital role supporting the development of agri-tech innovation, which helps farmers and food producers meet the challenges of sustainability, productivity and resilience."

“I look forward to working with our partners across the industry to accelerate progress and deliver real impact.”

Noting the ambitions for the business, and the momentum achieved by interim Chief Executive, Hannah Senior, UK Agri-Tech Centre Chairman, Dr Peter Quinn, said:

“Steve’s appointment will be instrumental in building on Hannah’s success, providing strategic leadership to drive growth in the agri-tech sector, and supporting businesses to successfully develop and commercialise their products and services.”

Whilst Hannah will step down as Interim Chief Executive, she will join the UK Agri-Tech Centre Board and will continue to support the business in her new role. Hannah said:

“It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the UK Agri-Tech Centre on an interim basis."

“We’ve taken huge strides to make the business more impactful in supporting innovative companies to develop and commercialise their agricultural technologies, so I couldn’t be more pleased that in the new year it’s Steve, bringing his deep understanding of the value chain and the sector, who will be leading the organisation forward to an exciting future”.

To find out more about the work the UK Agri-Tech Centre does, visit here.