Kit is a director of LF Papworth Ltd and Tuttington Farms Ltd. LF Papworth Ltd is a contract farming business based near Aylsham in Norfolk farming 1250 hectares on behalf of over 20 different landowners.
Kit was a board member of Anglia Farmers for 12 years and was chair from 2011 to 2014, retiring from the board to chair the subsidiary AF Logic until its sale in 2017. He joined the NFU Sugar Board in 2020 and has covered various briefs including Red Tractor, BBRO Stakeholder Committee and contract negotiation.
On his election, Kit said: 鈥淚 am honoured to be elected as chair of the sugar board and am committed to representing the interests of all sugar beet growers.
鈥淥n behalf of the board, I would like to sincerely thank Michael Sly for his dedication to growers across the country during his eight years as chair.
鈥淚 am determined to collaborate across the industry to advance solutions for virus yellows and ensure a fair, sustainable price for growers.鈥�
NFU Sugar Board chair Kit Papworth
鈥淥ur industry is facing a period of significant change, from trade deals and plant protection regulations to the challenges posed by unpredictable weather.
鈥淭o secure a strong future for the homegrown sugar sector, I am determined to collaborate across the industry to advance solutions for virus yellows and ensure a fair, sustainable price for growers.鈥�
鈥楩antastic farm to factory story鈥�
Simon Smith, a sugar beet grower on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border, has been re-elected as vice chair.
He is one of the biggest sugar beet growers in the country and has been on the NFU Sugar board since 2015, after completing the Sugar Industry Programme.
On announcing the election results he said: 鈥淭he home-grown sugar industry is one of the most efficient in the world, with a fantastic farm to factory story. I鈥檓 proud to represent growers alongside Kit and I look forward to continuing the hard work that has been my pleasure to undertake alongside Michael Sly.
鈥淭here are plenty of areas that are of critical importance to growers, from plant protection products and seed to haulage and sustainability, and I鈥檓 looking forward to continuing my work on behalf of beet growers.鈥�
Alison Lawson has also been elected as Beet Reception chair.
