Ripon Farm Services has appointed Richard Simpson to succeed Geoff Brown as chief executive.

Mr Brown, who will transition to chairman, has enjoyed one of the longest-serving and most successful leadership careers in the district.

He was one of five men who founded the business in 1982 and has been at the helm ever since, overseeing huge growth.

In a statement today, the company said Mr Simpson will have "full responsibility for the strategic development of Ripon Farm Services and the day-to-day running of the business".

It added Mr Simpson, who is from a farming background, became commercial director three years ago and has "extensive experience in transforming companies large and small" and would bring "a fresh perspective to Ripon Farm Services".

Mr Simpson said:

The statement said Mr Brown, who was awarded an MBE last year, "will continue to be ever-present in the company and advise on strategic direction to ensure the seamless transfer of knowledge and expertise".

It added:

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Mr Brown said his successor "has been instrumental in driving the changes we needed to make in the last three years" and had "a proven track record of driving growth, fostering innovation and nurturing talent".

Joedy Ibbotson, division business manager at John Deere UK, paid tribute to Mr Brown:

Ripon Farm Services, which was established in 1982, employs more than 300 people.

It is one of the largest John Deere dealers in the UK with 14 sites in Yorkshire, Teesside, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

It is responsible for the sale and aftersales support of agricultural machinery, ground care equipment and professional turf equipment by John Deere and other major manufacturers.