“Mark brings to our team a wealth of product experience from his 15 years in research and development,” said Roger Vessell, Cobb director of marketing worldwide.

“He will be closely involved with our business units, worldwide, helping to ensure our products meet the customers’ current and future needs. We greatly value his expertise which will benefit how we serve our customers as well as facilitating the flow of product information throughout our company.”

Dr Cooper joined Cobb in 2000 after studying at Texas A & M University and University of Georgia, and then gaining a PhD at the University of Arkansas.

His initial role was as pedigree geneticist responsible for male line development, becoming European director of genetics in 2009 and then director of genetics for all of the company’s breeding programes in the following year.

He has represented Cobb on industry, governmental and university-related committees in Europe and the USA dealing with genetics and welfare.