Phil Stocker joined the National Sheep Association as Chief Executive in 2011, after 15 years leading the Soil Association’s support work for its organic farmer and grower members. Phil started his career in a practical way and has 25 years of livestock and arable farming under his belt. He has managed several large sheep flocks including Cambridge ewes, pedigree Lleyns, Mules, and draft Beulah Speckles. Sheep farming allowed Phil and his wife to start their own share farming enterprises where they developed direct box sales alongside more conventional routes to market. In his role with the NSA he is committed to the Association being recognised as the focal point for UK grassroots sheep farming issues. Looking outwards he is passionate that sheep are properly recognised for the holistic role they play in uplands and lowlands, and keen that sheep farming finds a way to maintain much of its tradition and culture while making technical advances to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.