The Soil Association has announced that Helen Browning will assume the role of director from early spring.
She takes over from Patrick Holden, who resigned in September following 15 years in the role.
Browning, who runs a tenanted 545 hectare organic livestock and arable farm in Wiltshire, is currently director of external affairs at the National Trust and previously worked for several years as food and farming director at the Soil Association.
She also serves as chair of the Food Ethics Council and has been a member of many important commissions concerning British agriculture and food, earning an OBE in 1998 for services to organic farming.
Soil Association chair Orna Ni-Chionna commented: “We are delighted that Helen is to rejoin us as director. She is one of the true pioneers of the organic movement, and she has a unique breadth of practical experience as well as being an inspirational campaigner. It will be a privilege to have her back with us and to work with her closely in her new role.”
