The new Chair will replace Chris Stephens, who is standing down from the post after five years on the Traidcraft board. Chris says: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time chairing the Traidcraft board and I will always remain a staunch supporter of the organisation and its mission to fight poverty through trade. I have decided to stand down as I have been appointed as chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission and I feel unable to provide the time and commitment that I know Traidcraft deserves.”
Traidcraft has a unique structure in that it comprises a development charity, Traidcraft Exchange, which is the UK’s only development charity committed to using trade as a tool to life people out of poverty. Traidcraft also comprises of a trading company, Traidcraft Plc, which sells the widest range of fair trade products in the UK. The Chair sits on both the boards of both the charity and the trading company and all its meetings are held jointly.
Paul Chandler, chief executive of Traidcraft, adds: “Chris has been a great asset to Traidcraft over the past five years and I’d like to thank him for his hard work and dedication. The appointment of a new Chair presents an opportunity that does not come along very often. Traidcraft’s structure is exceptional and, in turn, we’re looking for an exceptional candidate to fill Chris’ shoes, take Traidcraft through its next strategic phase and add value.”
Professor Geoff Moore, Traidcraft’s longest-serving non-executive, has become the acting chair whilst a thorough recruitment process is undertaken to appoint a successor.
Notes to Editors:
• For more information on the role and responsibilities of the Chair, please go to www.traidcraft.co.uk.
• Indications of interest for the Chair role must be received no later than noon on 4th May 2011. Go to www.saxbam.com/jobs and enter code UQTB.
• Established in 1979, Traidcraft fights poverty through trade, helping people in developing countries to transform their lives. We run development programmes in some of the poorest countries in the world, and campaign in the UK and internationally to bring about trade justice.
• Traidcraft comprises a trading company, with annual sales of £15m and some 5,000 shareholders, as well as a £4m charity, Traidcraft Exchange. Traidcraft Exchange is the UK’s only development charity that specialises in making trade work for the poor in developing countries.
• If you would like any further information or high res images please contact Victoria Lamb on 0191 497 6418 or victorial@traidcraft.co.uk.
