An advert will be placed in the print edition of the Sunday Times on September 27.

The recruitment process started after NFU Director General, Andy Robertson, in August made the decision to retire.

Mr Robertson said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Director General at the NFU, working with so many great people including the Presidential team, staff and members. The NFU really is a fantastic organisation to be a part of and it’s been a privilege working here.

“Over the past three years I’ve been proud to lead an organisation which has made a real difference to its members.

“I had originally expected to do the job for no more than four years. However, due to some niggling health problems in the past 12 months I haven’t been able to operate at 100 per cent. It is for this reason that I have made the decision to retire.

“There’s never a good time to go, but this time frame allows minimum disruption to the organisation.”