Ian Douglas was, until 2003, a Director of ABNA (Associated British Nutrition & Agri-products) Ltd part of ABF plc (Associated British Foods), ‘Primary Food & Agriculture Division’, the Division responsible for ABF’s worldwide agricultural activities.

He was responsible for setting up Allied Grain (Scotland) in 1983 and leading it as Managing Director until 1990 when he became a Director of Cereal Industries Limited another holding company within ABF plc and also Group Managing Director of the Allied Grain Group, a position he held until 2002.

He has held a number of representative positions on behalf of the UK grain trade, both within the UK and Brussels and now runs his own consulting company, Ian Douglas Associates.  He remains a consultant to ABF among others and is a registered arbitrator with the Agricultural Industry Confederation.

He is also a Director of the HGCA and a non-executive Director of Fengrain, a leading Co-operative in the Eastern Counties of England.