UK Agri-Tech Centre names Steve McLean as new chief executive

The UK Agri-Tech Centre has announced that Steve McLean will become its next Chief Executive Officer, assuming the role on 27 January 2026.

McLean, currently Head of Agriculture and Fisheries Sourcing at Marks & Spencer, is said by the organisation to bring a wealth of leadership experience across retail, agriculture and fisheries. According to the Centre, his appointment follows a “rigorous recruitment process” aimed at identifying a candidate capable of steering the organisation through a period of rapid change in the agri-tech sector.

In a statement, McLean said he was “honoured to be joining the UK Agri-Tech Centre at such a pivotal time for British agriculture”. He added that the organisation “plays a vital role supporting the development of agri-tech innovation, which helps farmers and food producers meet the challenges of sustainability, productivity and resilience”.

The UK Agri-Tech Centre is described as the country’s only full-chain agricultural innovation centre, working with farmers, researchers, businesses and government to advance commercially viable solutions for sustainable food production.

The Centre is also active in aquaculture research through its specialist facility, the Marine Aquaculture Innovation Centre (MAIC) on Loch Fyne, operated with Otter Ferry Seafish Ltd, which supports R&D for marine species and sustainable fish farming, providing controlled environments for experimental and collaborative studies.

According to the organisation, its aquaculture priorities include developing resilient production systems, reducing carbon emissions, improving disease and parasite control, enhancing aquatic biodiversity, applying advanced genetic techniques and promoting better welfare for farmed aquatic animals.