President

Sir Martin Wood OBE FRS DL

Sir Martin Wood is the brother of the late Sir Michael Wood, co-founder of FARM-Africa with David Campbell. Sir Martin is an engineer, having completed a Masters degree at Cambridge. He is co-founder of Oxford Instruments plc of which he is now honorary president.

Board members

The FARM-Africa board comprises:

Dr. Martin Evans (Chairman)
Richard Lackmann (Treasurer)
Victoria Rae (Secretary)
Jan Bonde Nielsen
Professor Peter Hazell
Nader Mousavizadeh
Carey Ngini
Dr Helen Pankhurst
John Shaw
Dr. T. Olalekan Williams

Patrons

Michael Palin

Michael Palin is a well known actor, broadcaster, writer and long time supporter of FARM-Africa’s life-changing work. Having travelled extensively in Africa, Michael is enormously impressed with the organisation’s practical approach to enabling farmers and herders to improve their own livelihoods.

"FARM-Africa aims to create change that is sustainable rather than quick-fix solutions. I have nothing but praise for the work they do and the way they do it."

General Sir Peter de la Billière KCB KBE DSO MC DL

Sir Peter de la Billière had a long and distinguished army career which concluded when he commanded the British forces during the first Gulf War and was subsequently appointed as a special advisor to the Ministry of Defence on Middle Eastern matters. Sir Peter ran a small farm enterprise for many years. He is a former Board Member and was Chairman of FARM Africa from 1998 to 2001. Together with his wife he remains an active supporter. They have visited many of the projects in Africa.

"FARM-Africa's projects are innovative and effective - they help the poorest farmers to help themselves and the impact of FARM-Africa's work is long-term, permanent and expanding as the value of its work is widely appreciated."

Lord Plumb of Coleshill, DL FRAgS

Lord Plumb has pursued an ambitious career in the fields of politics and farming. He became chairman of the European Committee on Agriculture in 1979 and was the first Briton to be elected president of the European Parliament in 1987. He is also the second longest serving president of the National Farmers' Union (1970-9). His involvement with charity and voluntary organisations is considerable and he has taken up many prominent roles, including chairman of the British Agricultural Council (1975), president of the Royal Agricultural Society of England (1977) and vice-president of Sargent Cancer Care for Children.

Lord Plumb has long been interested in the European Union's relationship with developing countries and continues to work hard, believing in "helping developing countries to help themselves."