| Fairtrade International (FLO) is pleased to welcome Dr Esther Guluma as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. With over 30 years’ involvement in the aid and development sector in Asia and Africa, Esther brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. Prior to her retirement, Esther was the Regional Director for UNICEF in West and Central Africa and more recently, served the last two years as an Independent Board Member for Fairtrade International. “In one word I would say I feel humbled. There are so many exceptional and talented people working in Fairtrade and to be selected for this role is very humbling,” she said. Esther, elected at the October 2011 General Assembly, succeeds Jean-Louis Homé who served from 2009 – 2011. We would like to thank Jean-Lou for all his hard work, dedication and commitment. The Board of Fairtrade International would also like to welcome Chip Pitts as a new independent representative. Chip is an international attorney, human rights activist, and well known lecturer on human rights and international business. In a further outcome of the General Assembly, Fairtrade’s labelling initiatives appointed two people from their boards as FLO Board representatives. This role was previously filled by the executive directors. John Kay, Chair of Fairtrade Canada, will take his post immediately, and Frans De Bie, Chair of Max Havelaar Belgium will replace Martin Rohner at the end of this year. Environmental expert Molly Harriss Olsson, was appointed for a second term as an Independent Board Member and Benjamin Gatland of Fairtrade Africa was appointed to the Standards Committee as representative of African producers. We thank the new and re-elected members for their commitment and wish them all the best in their new roles. |
