New appointments to the FSA Board

The Food Standards Agency has announced three new appointments to the FSA Board. Ram Gidoomal, Heather Peck and Jim Smart will serve an initial three-year term ending in April 2017.

The appointment of the new Board Members was made by The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health, with the agreement of Ministers from the Devolved Administrations.

Tim Bennett, Chair of the Food Standards Agency, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Ram, Heather and Jim to the FSA Board. They will bring a breadth of knowledge and experience that will enhance the FSA Board and I look forward to working with them to continue to protect consumers’ interests in relation to food’.

Ram Gidoomal has worked in the food industry, with his last post being UK Group Chief Executive and Group Vice Chairman of Inlaks Group. He is currently Chairman of Traidcraft PLC and he also holds several consultancy and board posts.

Heather Peck has spent most of her career at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Since 2008 she has held a number of non-executive director roles. She is currently Chair of Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and Chair of the HGCA Wheat Committee (Recommended List).

Jim Smart has experience across both the private and public sectors. He was formerly Chief Financial Officer at Boots Group, Friends Provident and Premier Foods. He is currently an Associate at BESTrustees. Jim is a Certified Accountant (FCCA) and a Public Finance Accountant (CPFA).

Board members are paid an annual remuneration of £10,559 for approximately 36 days a year.

All appointments are made on merit and these appointments have been made in accordance with the guidance issued by the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments.