British agriculture is facing a period of substantial change, and how the livestock industry adapts to these changes will be key to its success. Speaking at the 2022 BCBC Conference, Steve McLean will bring a retailer’s perspective to these changes and the challenges they may bring. He will look at how environmental pressure, developments to agricultural support, new international trade arrangements, and shifting consumer expectations will impact technical innovation at farm level as farmers adapt to these changing market requirements.

As Head of Agriculture and Fisheries at M&S Food, Steve has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of what consumers want from farmers. In this role he is accountable for agricultural and fisheries supply chain sourcing across M&S Food, covering some 12,000 farms globally. Since joining M&S in 2008 as Agriculture Manager and taking on his current role in 2012, he has worked with this supply base to develop both sustainable agriculture initiatives and supply chain innovation.

Prior to joining M&S Steve’s background was in the breeding and genetics sector, working as Business Director of BASCO Data Limited. This collaboration between the UK’s three largest beef and sheep societies and AHDB’s Signet Breeding Services looked at managing pedigree and performance data.

Steve has also served as Chief Executive and Company Secretary of the Texel Sheep Society, and as Lamb Marketing manager at the AMN Group based in Thainstone, Aberdeenshire. He also served for 10 years as a trustee on the board of The Prince’s Countryside Fund.

Outside of work Steve lives on a farm in rural Oxfordshire with his wife and two children, where he supports his wife with running the family livestock farm.