Yesterday was a momentous day for BQP, after 37 years we said farewell to Howard Revell who is heading off to retirement.

Howard joined J. Bibby Agriculture Livestock East on 31 May 1987 as a Fieldsman in East Anglia, and then relocated into the Southwest, setting up many new farms for the business in the area.

In the early 1990’s Howard moved back to East Anglia taking on the role of Rearing Farms Manager, his career went higher in the mid 90’s when he also took on the role of Breeding Farms Manager.

With ABN’s acquisition of the business during this time the Company became BQP and purchased the Norfolk and Suffolk abattoir in Old Newton. At this point Howard took on the role of Production Manager. At this point BQP had in the region of 20,000 sows supplying circa 80 rearing and finishing farms. In those days the systems were predominantly two-stage production.

Over the following years, through great determination and commitment to the Company, Howard also became the Chair of the PIG Group NPA in 2009, then in 2017 he won the Farmers Weekly Award of “Pig farmer of the year”.

Howard has always been driven to improving the welfare of the pig industry wholly believing in the RSPCA assured scheme and he was instrumental in setting up the ODB (Outdoor Bred) scheme covering many of the additional requirements from retailers.

Throughout Howard’s career he has brought many young people into the pig industry, mentoring and developing individuals enabling independent progression and future proofing the business.

Howard will be greatly missed, after 37 years of dedication to both BQP, the wider pig industry for which we are truly thankful. As Howard begins his next journey, we wish his well for a very happy retirement with his family and send him our best wishes for the future.