New deputy president appointed for union
Carmarthenshire sheep farmer and former Farmers’ Union of Wales vice-president Ian Rickman has been elected as the FUW’s new deputy president at a Grand Council meeting in Aberystwyth on Wednesday, October 16.
Ian has been an active union member for more than 20 years and was Carmarthenshire county chairman from 2010-12.
He has also held the post of chairman of the hill farming and marginal land committee, a position he held for four years. In 2017, Ian was elected as the FUW’s vice-president.
Over the past two years, he has worked tirelessly to represent the union and its members at a variety of Welsh Government meetings, at farm visits with MPs and AMs, highlighting why #FarmingMatters, and has represented the union in a host of media interviews.
Ian is married to Helen and they have three sons. The family lives at Gurnos, an upland sheep farm near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. The farm extends to 220 acres with common grazing rights on the Black Mountain, and Ian is also a member of the management committee of the Black Mountain West Graziers Association.
Outside of farming, he was chairman of governors of Ysgol Gynradd
Ffairfach and also enjoys rugby. He is a keen follower of the Scarlets and is an active Welsh learner.
Appointing Ian to his new role, union president Glyn Roberts said: “Ian has already done so much for our industry, representing the views of our grassroots membership, holding government to account and working tirelessly to spread the #FarmingMatters message.
“These are uncertain times, in so many ways, and it is therefore vital that we have strong leadership at the FUW.
“Ian, I have no doubt, will continue to do an excellent job representing the union and its members, as we navigate the stormy political and ever-changing seas.”
Speaking about his appointment, Ian Rickman said: “I am honoured to have been elected as deputy president for the FUW.
“These are big boots to fill and I thank our former deputy president Brian Thomas for everything he has done for agriculture in Wales.
“Looking forward, we have a lot of work to do. These are uncertain times and the future of our industry is at stake.
“I will do my utmost to ensure that the voice of farmers across Wales continues to be heard loud and clear.”