UK dairy co-operative First Milk has named six farmer directors to give its board “broader commercial expertise”.

Chairman Bill Mustoe said Nigel Evans, Mark James and Simon Weaver will join Tom Campbell – who is also vice-chairman – Hugh Parker and Richard Davis on the First Milk board.

Mustoe said: “It was a very tough decision to finalise the six farmer directors and there were a number of close calls. However, I believe we will have a better-balanced Board in place that gives us the broader commercial expertise.”

Mustoe, finance director Ian Forgie, chief executive Kate Allum and two non-executive directors also sit on the board.