BPEX Director Mick Sloyan said: "I would like to thank Mike for his hard work and commitment to the English pig industry during the last couple of years and to wish him well for the future.

"He will continue to work with BPEX for some time to ensure a smooth hand over of responsibilities. However we are taking the opportunity to focus our resources more effectively through a change in how BPEX is managed.

Knowledge Transfer will move to Communications and Supply Chain Development under Andrew Knowles. The Research and Development team with be managed by Derek Armstrong on an interim basis until a full time Head of Research and Development can be recruited.