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First Milk has appointed Nasair Hussain as its new chief executive, with the food industry executive set to take up the role on 1 March 2027.

Hussain will succeed Shelagh Hancock, who announced in April that she would retire next spring after ten years leading the farmer-owned dairy co-operative. The appointment follows an extensive search process led by First Milk’s Board.

Bringing 30 years of international experience across the dairy, fresh produce and food manufacturing sectors, Hussain has held a number of senior leadership positions, with expertise spanning commercial growth, operational performance and customer relationships across retail, foodservice and industrial markets.

He joins First Milk from APS Group, where he is currently group chief executive. Prior to this, he served as managing director (GB) at Dale Farm and held several executive positions with Kerry Group across the UK and Asia.

His career has encompassed leadership of complex food businesses, combining strategic development with operational management, alongside considerable experience in the dairy and co-operative sectors.

Hugo Mahoney, chairman of First Milk, said: “We are delighted to appoint Nasair as our new chief executive following a thorough and rigorous search process led by the Board. I look forward to working with him to build on the significant progress made under Shelagh’s leadership, whilst also bringing a new perspective as we continue to evolve and develop the business for the long-term benefit of our members.”

Mahoney also paid tribute to Hancock’s contribution over the past decade, describing her leadership as transformative. She will remain with the business until the end of March 2027 to support a comprehensive handover and ensure continuity during the transition.

Commenting on his appointment, Hussain said he was looking forward to joining a business with a strong sense of purpose, a distinctive farmer-owned model and an established reputation across the dairy industry.

“The dairy industry and wider agrifood sector is evolving at pace, and I’m looking forward to spending time with First Milk members and colleagues, learning about the business, and working with the team to build on the progress made in recent years,” he said.

“There is a strong platform in place and I’m excited about the opportunity to help shape the next chapter for First Milk to create sustainable, long-term resilience for farmer members.”

The appointment comes as the dairy and wider agrifood sectors continue to navigate changing market conditions and evolving customer requirements. Hussain’s experience across dairy, food manufacturing and international markets is expected to bring valuable commercial and operational expertise as First Milk looks to build on its recent progress and deliver long-term value for its farmer members.