The Fairtrade Foundation
Who we are
The Fairtrade Foundation is the independent non-profit organisation that licenses use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products in the UK in accordance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards. The Foundation was established in 1992 by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft and the World Development Movement, later joined by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. Member organisations now also include Banana Link, Methodist Relief and Development Fund, Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, People & Planet, SCIAF, Shared Interest Foundation, Soroptimist International , Tearfund and the United Reformed Church.
The Foundation is the UK member of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO), which unites 21 labelling initiatives across Europe, Japan, North America, Mexico and Australia/New Zealand as well as networks of producer organisations from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Fairtrade Foundation is a registered charity (no. 1043886). It is also a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no. 2733136).
Our vision
Our vision is of a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practices so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential.
To achieve this vision, Fairtrade seeks to transform trading structures and practices in favour of the poor and disadvantaged. By facilitating trading partnerships based on equity and transparency, Fairtrade contributes to sustainable development for marginalised producers, workers and their communities. Through demonstration of alternatives to conventional trade and other forms of advocacy, the Fairtrade movement empowers citizens to campaign for an international trade system based on justice and fairness.
Our mission
The Foundation’s mission is to work with businesses, community groups and individuals to improve the trading position of producer organisations in the South and to deliver sustainable livelihoods for farmers, workers and their communities by –
- being a passionate and ambitious development organisation committed to tackling poverty and injustice through trade
- using certification and product labelling, through the FAIRTRADE Mark, as a tool for our development goals
- bringing together producers and consumers in a citizens’ movement for change
- being recognised as the UK’s leading authority on Fairtrade
What we do
Our four key areas of activity are:
- Providing an independent certification of the trade chain, licensing use of the FAIRTRADE Mark as a consumer guarantee on products
- Facilitating the market to grow demand for Fairtrade and enable producers to sell to traders and retailers
- Working with our partners to support producer organisations and their networks
- Raising public awareness of the need for Fairtrade and the importance of the FAIRTRADE Mark
The Foundation works to the definition of Fair Trade agreed by FINE, a working group of the four international Fair Trade networks (Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International, International Fair Trade Association, Network of European World Shops and the European Fair Trade Association):
Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers – especially in the South.
Read
Tipping the Balance (PDF). The Fairtrade Foundation’s strategy for 2008 to 2012 where we set out our vision for transforming trade and the big advances we want to achieve in the next 5 years.
Structure
The Fairtrade Foundation’s staff work in six distinct teams:
- Certification: The FAIRTRADE Mark is a registered certification mark which the Foundation licenses to companies to use on products which comply with international Fairtrade standards and contractual requirements. The Certification Department ensures such compliance by setting up a licence agreement with each company specifying the product(s) which may carry the Mark, approving every separate use of the Mark and text referring to Fairtrade, and auditing each licensee’s Fairtrade activities.
- Commercial Relations: Covering both food and non-food products the Commercial Relations department is responsible for building business engagement with Fairtrade. They are responsible for working with commercial operators to grow their sales of Fairtrade certified products, with integrity, through deepening commitment to existing product categories, greater product visibility and through the introduction of new product areas.
- Policy and Communications: The Policy and Communications department at the Fairtrade Foundation aims to build public awareness and consumer demand for Fairtrade. Its programmes and campaigns include local campaigning development (including Fairtrade campaigns in towns, universities, schools and faith networks) and media relations and PR, publications.
- Marketing: The team aims to make Fairtrade the first choice for consumers and businesses. Areas of focus include online marketing, supporter services and campaigns such as Fairtrade Fortnight.
- Producer Partnerships: the team provides a focal point in the Foundation for the development of existing and new standards, communications with and support for producer organisations, facilitating the sourcing of products that underpin the growth of the UK Fairtrade market, and research and policy development to continually improve our understanding and delivery of work in support of poverty reduction through trade.
- Finance and Resources.: The team provides central support to the four operational teams in the Foundation and looks after finance, information technology, human resources, fundraising and office management for the organisation. The team is also responsible for the running of the governance function of the Foundation through the Annual General Meeting and meetings of the Board of Trustees.
Fairtrade Foundation Senior Management Team
- Executive Director: Harriet Lamb
- Director of Certification: Ron Hinsley
- Director of Commercial Relations: Ashish Deo
- Director of Policy and Communications: Barbara Crowther
- Director of Marketing: Cheryl Sloan
- Director of Finance and Resources: Tim Gutteridge
- Director of Producer Partnerships: Chris Davis
Fairtrade Foundation charity shareholders
Fairtrade Foundation Board members
- Chair: David Clayton Smith
- Patricia Alexander (Managing Director of Shared Interest)
- Rosemary Byrde (Oxfam GB’s Market Access/Fairtrade Advisor)
- Melissa Duncan (Head of Communications, Traidcraft)
- Silver Kasoro (Director and Board member, Mabale Growers Tea Factory)
- Tomy Mathews (Fair Trade Alliance Kerala)
- Ed Mayo (Chief Executive of the new Consumer Focus – formerly the National Consumer Council (NCC))
- Simon Maxwell (Director of ODI)
- Merling Preza (General Manager of PRODECOOP)
- Bert Schouwenburg (Trade Union Organiser, GMB London Region)
- Nabs Suma (Independent Consultant, organic and Fairtrade standards and certification)
Certification Committee
This committee reviews all audit reports for Fairtrade Foundation licensees, and advises on certification policies and implementation.
- Rob Hardy
- Ann Davison (chair)
- Hannah Reed
- Melissa Duncan
- Hannah Harris
- Joy Thompson