The new board chair of the UK Potato Processors’ Association (PPA) is John Sedgwick, the UK Potato Supply Manager of Lamb Weston in Wisbech. Throughout his career, Sedgwick has concentrated on growers and used agronomy for a variety of fresh vegetable products, as well as frozen and dried potato goods.

John takes over as PPA Board Chair from Dan Hewitt (who was formerly with Valeo Snackfoods). He hopes to increase awareness of the association and highlight the numerous advantages that membership offers the potato sector during a period of significant difficulties.

“It is a privilege for me to take on the role of Chair for the PPA. The sector has seen many challenges emerge in recent years, and I hope to be able to continue to help drive the association, and the sector as a whole, toward its full potential,” Sedgwick said, according to a recent press release.

The UK Potato Processors’ Association (PPA) is the trade association for UK manufacturers of frozen chips and potato products, potato crisps, potato-based snack products, and dehydrated potatoes. PPA incorporates both the Frozen and Chilled Potato Processors’ Association (FCPPA) and the Snack, Nut, and Crisp Manufacturers’ Association (SNACMA).

“I am delighted to welcome John to the role of Chair. John is widely known and respected within the UK potato sector and I look forward to the energy and experience that he will undoubtedly bring to the role. Growers and processors in the UK have faced many challenges over the past few years. These include storage, agricultural water shortages and flooding, access to land, seeds, and labor, increased costs, as well as access to actives and fertilizers. These challenges aren’t going away and it’s good to know that John is keen to help represent the sector and to raise the profile of the Association,” PPA’s Director General Andrew Curtis, added.

Collectively PPA members are the largest customer for UK potatoes, purchasing around 1.47m tonnes annually, accounting for circa 94% of all potatoes processed into frozen chips and potato products, potato crisps, and snacks within the UK.

Over 13,000 people are directly employed in the UK by the potato processing sector, and other dependent jobs, including those in the farming sector, more than double this total.

The sector also makes a significant contribution to the country’s manufacturing base. The value of the UK processed and prepared potatoes market was estimated at more than GBP2.7bn (not including food service), and the sliced potato crisps market was estimated to be worth an additional GBP1.47bn in 2022. Furthermore, the value of the entire savory snacks sector (which in addition to potato crisps includes cereal, nut, popcorn, and meat-based snacks) was estimated to have a combined retail value of GBP4.05bn in 2023.