Food Standards Agency
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What is RSS?Monday 19 November 2007
Dame Deirdre Hutton, Chair of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), has appointed Tim Smith as the Agency’s new Chief Executive. Tim Smith will take up his post in March 2008, replacing John Harwood, who has been Chief Executive since March 2006.
Tim Smith, 52, is the former Chief Executive of Arla Foods UK plc, the UK’s leading dairy company and the largest fresh milk supplier to the UK’s supermarkets. The company is responsible for major food brands Anchor, Lurpak and Cravendale. It is now part of Arla Foods amba, Europe's largest dairy manufacturer. Commenting on his appointment,
Agency Chair, Dame Deirdre Hutton, said: 'It's tremendous news that Tim is joining us. A scientist by background, he has close links to both the retail and agricultural sectors and, of course, a great track record in running a major UK food business. We work closely with consumers, the scientific community and the food industry, and having Tim as our Chief Executive will help reinforce these ties. His food industry background also complements the background and experience already embedded in the senior leadership team.
'Tim also understands the issues, challenges and opportunities faced by the FSA at this time, and will provide the Agency, I am sure, with a clear strategic direction. I and my colleagues on the FSA Board are looking forward immensely to working with him.'
Tim Smith said: 'I have always admired the FSA’s passion and commitment to making sure people have access to safe and healthy food. Now, more than ever, food is an issue of national importance and there is no doubt we have tough challenges ahead of us, especially in the fight against obesity. I am very much looking forward to starting my new role.'
Back to topTim Smith graduated from Leeds University with a degree in microbiology and zoology. He has spent his entire career in the food business; from 1979 to 1994 he was at Northern Foods, finishing his career there as a Divisional Director. After five years at Sara Lee Corporation, where he was President of UK operations, Tim joined Express Dairies plc where, as Executive Director, he successfully transformed the business’s profitability. In addition was responsible for negotiating key elements of the Express merger with Arla Foods in October 2003, including its strategic plan.
Tim was appointed Chief Executive of Arla Foods in early 2005. He managed a turnaround of the UK business, instituting a major investment programme for the company. He improved margins, secured and increased market share for Arla’s fresh milk business, grew its branded foods business and increased the company’s market capitalisation by 23%. He left the company in April 2007 when it was de-listed from the London Stock Exchange following acquisition by its largest shareholder.
The appointment of the FSA's Chief Executive was by an open competition that was overseen by a Civil Service Commissioner. ( (External) http://www.civilservicecommissioners.org/ )
The appointment is made by the Agency, subject to the approval of each of the 'appropriate authorities': the Secretary of State for Health; Scottish Ministers; the National Assembly for Wales; and DHSSPS in Northern Ireland. Following this process, approval was also sought from the Prime Minister's Office. The post of Chief Executive is in the Senior Civil Service payband 3, which has a minimum of £99,960 and a recruitment and performance ceiling of £205,000.
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