There has been a major shakeup of the management board at the Food Standards Agency with Heather Hancock set to be the Agency’s new chair.
Hancock was yesterday (17 September) appointed the new deputy chair of the FSA with immediate effect and is expected to become its chair from 1 April next year, following a government hearing.
She will be taking over from Tim Bennett, appointed FSA chair in 2013 following the departure of Jeff Rooker, who left at the end of his term.
Bennett, who was president of the National Farmers’ Union between 1998 and 2006, could have stepped down last year, but health secretary Jeremy Hunt extended his term until 31 March 2016 so a permanent appointment could be made.
Hancock will be taking over from current deputy chair Henrietta Campbell, who has served alongside Bennett since 2013. Her term as deputy was also extended alongside Bennett, but has she stepped down today to make way for Hancock.
Before becoming chair in April next year Hancock is subject to a pre-appointment hearing with the Health Select Committee, although she is expected to be named chair after this.
The role involves working two to three days per week with a salary of £60,000 a year, according to the Department of Health.
The FSA told The Grocer Bennett will remain on the Agency’s board and will be Hancock’s deputy chair until 31 March 2017.
Bennett said: “I am delighted to welcome Heather to our board. She joins us at an exciting time as we deliver our new strategy, ‘Food we can trust’, that puts consumers first in everything we do.”
Catherine Brown, CEO of the FSA since 2012, will remain in her position.
Hancock was a trustee of The Prince’s Trust charity from 2000 to 2012, and most recently was managing partner for talent and brand at Deloitte, a UK consultancy firm. She has also been an economist at the Home Office and later private secretary to three home secretaries.
Hancock was chair of the BBC’s rural affairs committee in 2013 and responsible for reviewing the impartiality of the BBC’s rural coverage. She has also been CEO of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and executive director of Yorkshire Forward.
She said: “This is an exciting time to be joining the Food Standards Agency and to be championing the interests of consumers. I am delighted to be appointed to the FSA board, and am looking forward to working closely with Tim Bennett and the many individuals and organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are committed to delivering consumers safe, authentic and honest food.”
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