Draft:Izak van Heerden

Izak Johannes van Heerden is a notable figure in the U.K. agricultural leadership sphere. He leads the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)'s AgriLeader programme and is a 2023 Nuffield Farming Scholar with a focus on "AgriLeadership for Tomorrow’s World."

Early life and education
Izak van Heerden was born on a beef and sheep farm in Sterkstroom, Eastern Cape, South Africa, and later attended school in Hangklip, Queenstown. He completed his secondary education at Marlow Agricultural School in Cradock. Van Heerden pursued a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Agriculture from Stellenbosch University, and later obtained a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Brighton. He is fluent in English and Afrikaans and has conversational proficiency in Dutch, Flemish, isiXhosa, Ndebele, and Zulu, and is learning Spanish.

Career
Van Heerden began his career with hands-on experience on a potato and cereal farm in Essex and managing dairy herds in East and West Sussex. He transitioned to academia, holding positions at the University of Brighton and Plumpton College. Currently, he leads the AgriLeader programme at AHDB, where he focuses on enhancing leadership within the agricultural sector. His global research includes diverse approaches to leadership and management development practices, with a particular interest in innovative strategies.

Van Heerden's research and study trips have taken him to Europe, Canada, and Latin America. He has collaborated with organizations such as Rural Leaders NZ, DairyNZ, and Teagasc. He is also an experienced facilitator, having led conferences, workshops, and events globally.

Awards and Honours

 * 2023: Nuffield Farming Scholarship, "AgriLeadership for Tomorrow’s World"
 * 2023: Nuffield Farming Scholarship Conference, Organising Committee (2023 & 2024)
 * 2024: Facilitated Nuffield International Contemporary Scholars Conference, Brazil
 * Board of Governors, Heathfield Community College
 * 2023: Member, The Institute of Agricultural Management (IAGRM)
 * Southeast TB Eradication Working Group
 * International Farmlink Committee, South of England Agricultural Society
 * Sustainable Food & Farming Strategy, Animal Health and Welfare Subgroup, Southeast
 * Steering Group, Livestock Health Southeast
 * Member, National Farmers Union (NFU) Dairy Board, Southeast
 * Research Partnership Steering Group, AHDB/Nottingham - Biosecurity and Vaccination Protocols
 * Farmers Club Charitable Trust Bursary, "The Management of Large Dairy Herds USA"


 * 1) Nuffield Scholar Profile
 * 2) AHDB AgriLeader
 * 3) Focus on Staff to Get the Most from Rotary Parlours
 * 4) AHDB Staff Profile
 * 5) Interview with Nick Wheeler