The business is best known for the independent carcase classification and dressing inspection service it provides to red meat abattoirs across the UK, against which beef, sheep and pig producers are paid deadweight for their stock.

MLCSL inspectors classify around 90 per cent of total British slaughtering of cattle, 85 per cent of pigs and 90 per cent of sheep sold deadweight. (or 73 per cent cattle, 83 per cent pigs and 43 per cent of total livestock slaughterings)

Christine Walsh said: “My task is to enable the business to increase sales and to improve operational cost-efficiency, whilst developing staff to capitalise on opportunities now and in the future, as our marketplace changes and adopts new technologies.

MLCSL Interim Chairman, Ian Black said: “The Board is delighted to have someone of Christine’s calibre and sector knowledge leading a highly committed team. This business is operating in a very challenging environment with the focus on delivering an excellent service to the abattoirs and accurate and reliable information to the producer in a cost effective manner which ensures a profitable business able to invest in future innovation and improvement.”