Eleanor Harrison OBE appointed as Fairtrade Foundation’s new CEO
Eleanor Harrison is set to take up her post as the new CEO of Fairtrade Foundation in March. Pic: Fairtrade Foundation
Experienced international development specialist Eleanor Harrison OBE has been named as Fairtrade Foundation’s new CEO, as it continues the social movement’s goals supporting agricultural communities around the globe, writes Neill Barston.
According to the charity, it hailed its incoming head as a ‘visionary changemaker and strategist’ who has gained twenty years of experience working across purpose-driven organisations.
Eleanor succeeds Michael Gidney in the role, who had successfully seen its operations grow over his twelve years in post, leaving last month at the conclusion of the foundation’s 30 year anniversary.
As he acknowledged previously in speaking to Confectionery Production, while there remained notable work to be done in supporting supply chains including the cocoa sector in raising levels of pay further and delivering on due diligence legislation, he felt Fairtrade had continued to make tangible strides for evolving social rights.
His successor takes up the role in March, having formerly been CEO of Impetus, a venture philanthropy nonprofit improving social outcomes and scaling impact for young people facing disadvantage.
Notably, in 2016, Eleanor received the Order of the British Empire for Services to International Development. In her role as Chief Executive of online platform GlobalGiving UK, she utilised her entrepreneurial drive and commercial acumen to disrupt traditional aid and accelerate community-led change. Eleanor has also held several leadership roles in international NGOs, including running a Kenyan NGO for five years supporting children and their families to build better lives for themselves.
As Fairtrade, which has previously played a strong contributing role in our World Confectionery Conference, noted, working with communities to unlock their agency, navigate complex systems and thrive has defined her career, which saw her early community organising including getting involved with Fairtrade Fortnight in the 1990s. She also supported Wrexham to become a Welsh Fairtrade town in 2003.
Interim position
Fiona Kindness, Chief Financial Officer will be interim Chief Executive until Eleanor is in post, while she concludes her present role as Chair of Asylum Reform Initiative, UK, the alliance behind the 650+ Together with Refugee Coalition to campaign for a welcoming system for refugees. Formerly she was Vice Chair and Board member of BOND, the UK network for organisations working in international development.
Commenting on her appointment, Eleanor said: “I’m thrilled to be joining The Fairtrade Foundation at such an exciting point in time. Fairtrade’s mission speaks to my values. To connect producers and consumers and promote fairer trading conditions so producers can earn a fair income has never been more vital. Trade can and must work better for people and planet at this critical time of heightened political, economic and environmental volatility and fragility.
“I’m looking forward to taking up the baton from Michael Gidney, increasing consumer demand for Fairtrade products, supporting our portfolio of committed and highly valued business partners and growing our impact for producers. I will lead the Fairtrade Foundation with empathy, ambition and warmth and look forward to working with our team, partners and network to take Fairtrade to the next level.”
Nyagoy Nyong’o, Chair of the Fairtrade Foundation Board of Trustees also welcomed her arrival in the key post, which comes at a significant stage in its history.
She added: “We are delighted that Eleanor Harrison has agreed to join the Fairtrade Foundation as CEO. She brings a wealth of experience in how to make lasting change happen and has a very strong track record in growing impact, influence and income through visionary, strategic leadership, well-honed change management skills and energy, compassion and optimism.
“The Foundation has made great strides in transforming the sustainability landscape over the past three decades, ensuring that everything we do is rooted in the reality of producers’ experience. I am thrilled we have found the right person to lead us through the next stage of our journey.”