Tag: Fairtrade International

Driving change forward – Supervisory Board in place at Fairtrade International

Stuart Mitchell

Following a majority vote at the General Assembly in June 2025, Fairtrade International established a Supervisory Board which replaced the former scope of Fairtrade International Board.  It is composed between 9 to 13 members and is primarily responsible for the strategic guidance of Fairtrade International.  Rita de Sousa Coutinho (Independent representative) has been elected Chair, with Hend M.H. Kassab (Producer Network representative) and Rhea Beltrami (National Fairtrade Organisation representative) as Vice-Chairs. Three new members join the Supervisory Board In addition to the continuing members of the former Fairtrade International Board,…

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Fairtrade International Names Lisa Prassack as new Chief Executive Officer

Stuart Mitchell

Fairtrade International, the global non-profit, multistakeholder organisation that makes trade fairer for farmers and workers throughout the world, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Prassack as its new Chief Executive Officer effective 7 April 2025. Lisa has more than 20 years of experience in leading global agrifood and fibre companies to optimize engagement, sourcing, trade flows, and digital and sustainable supply chains. She has worked with clients such as Bayer, Bosch, BP, Danone, Dole, Eurofins, Manulife, Nutrien, The Nature Conservancy, and Trader Joes. Lisa also has a passion…

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Fairtrade International announces new executive governance structure

Stuart Mitchell

Fairtrade International has restructured its governance structure implementing a single-leadership model to lead the global organisation and its members. The change is effective immediately. Under the single leadership model, the current roles of the Global CEO and Executive Director were replaced by a Managing Director who will report to the Fairtrade International Board of Directors. This change will streamline decision-making and accountability for both Fairtrade International and for its 22 member organisations around the world, ultimately benefitting our partners and the farmers and workers in the Fairtrade system. The Fairtrade…

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Fairtrade International and International Cooperative Alliance join forces to enable more cooperatives and their members to realise sustainable livelihoods

Stuart Mitchell

As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launches 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, Fairtrade International and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) have signed a joint partnership declaration to drive greater inclusion and sustainability of cooperatives. The declaration, signed by Melissa Duncan, Executive Director of Fairtrade International, and Jeroen Douglas, the Director General of ICA, has solidified the organisations’ commitment to work together to advance the principles of democracy, empowerment, economic prosperity and distribution, and the convergence of economic, social, and environmental components of development.    The announcement was made…

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Fairtrade’s 2023 Annual Report highlights progress towards fairness agenda

Stuart Mitchell

Fairtrade International released its 2023 Annual Report today during its General Assembly, showcasing the organisation’s priorities and milestones, including progress on sustainability issues such as tackling deforestation, human rights, and living incomes. Entitled ”Driving the fairness agenda,” the Annual Report highlights the achievements of the Fairtrade system and its partners in the past year, such as its programmes and initiatives that deepen benefits for more than two million farmers and workers from 68 countries around the globe. Fairtrade reported on its first strategic priority of shifting the balance of power…

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