Long-time head of the UK Fairtrade Foundation, Harriet Lamb has been appointed chief executive officer of Fairtrade International.
Lamb will take up her new post on 1 October after more than 10 years at the helm of the UK foundation. Marieke de Peña, vice chair of Fairtrade International’s board, said: “Harriet has a wealth of experience of the movement, combining an extraordinary memory of the past with a clear vision for the future.”
De Peña, who leads a small banana-growing co-operative in the Dominican Republic, added: “As a representative of the farmers and workers involved in Fairtrade, I am delighted to see her take up the reins of Fairtrade International. As Fairtrade grows globally, she is just what we need to keep our diverse stakeholders powerfully connected to the vision and mission of Fairtrade.”
Fairtrade International is increasing its focus on smallholders and workers.
Lamb said she will be looking to build on this: “Fairtrade has… established a proven model for doing business differently, which is already bringing tangible positive impacts for millions of people in farmers’ organisations and their wider communities…. But I’m in no doubt of the immense challenges that still remain.
"My top priority will be to strengthen Fairtrade’s support for farmers and workers on the ground. I’m excited by the opportunity for our unique producer-partnership model to transform trade and business relationships in the future, and look forward now to working globally across the Fairtrade movement to realise our vision and our potential.”
Lamb’s appointment was a unanimous decision by the board of Fairtrade International following a six-month recruitment and selection process.
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