Soil Association Certification has appointed Nick Buckland OBE (above) as its new non-executive chairman and elected two new board members, Beth Thoren and Sonny Masero.
The appointments come at a time when the organization continues to expand its offerings, including in the areas of sustainable forestry and catering.
Buckland has significant experience in strategic planning, governance, review processes and quality, gathered from a range of private sector executive and non-executive directorships, which will help take the business into its next stage of growth and development. He takes over from Linda Campbell, who served as chair for two and a half years.
“I am thrilled to join Soil Association Certification at this exciting time,” said Buckland. “It is a hugely important organization within the organic and sustainable world and I hope to be able to share the breadth of processes the business is involved in with more people. I hope that my skills and knowledge in governance and review will further help develop Soil Association Certification and in turn, clearly communicate the business’s aims. I look forward to joining the dots between processing, forestry, textiles and farming and helping consumers understand what certification can mean.”
Buckland is pro chancellor and former chair of governors of Plymouth University and chair of Peninsula Community Health CIC and chair of the board of the Education and Development Trust. He is based in Cornwall where he runs an organic livestock farm with his wife.
Thoren is an expert in strategic development and marketing. Her previous experiences include working as director of fundraising & communications for the RSPB and leading communications in the switchover from analogue to digital TV for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five.
Masero is an entrepreneur, investor and advisor focused on working with companies to bring to market technology that addresses energy, environmental and climate change challenges. He has worked with a range of businesses to advise on strategy, investment, new business development, international sales, team success, software and technology innovation and how to have a purposeful impact.
