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The RSA Food, Farming and Countryside Commission was an independent inquiry that took place from November 2017 to April 2020 to think afresh about where our food comes from, how we support farming and rural communities and how we invest in the many benefits the countryside provides.

Chaired by Sir Ian Cheshire, 15 Commissioners were drawn from farming and food businesses, from public health and citizens groups, from think-tanks and universities.

The work came at a particularly challenging time in the wake of the EU referendum. But from very early on, the Commissioners agreed that the focus of the work should not be defined by current circumstances. They wanted to tackle the bigger challenges facing the food, farming and countryside sector: from climate and ecosystem breakdown to rising rates of diet-related ill-health.

Commissioners also wanted to hear more from people who are not usually involved in these debates.

To get in touch please e-mail [email protected] 

Sir Ian Cheshire

Sir Ian Cheshire

Chair of Food, Farming and Countryside Commission. Chair, Barclays Bank UK & Lead non-executive director for the Government

 

Judith Batchelar OBE

Judith Batchelar OBE

Director, Sainsbury’s Brand & Chair, Innovation and Nutrition Working Groups, Food and Drink Sector Council

 

Helen Browning OBE

Helen Browning OBE

Chief Executive, Soil Association

 

Shirley Cramer CBE

Shirley Cramer CBE

CEO, Royal Society for Public Health

 

Kath Dalmeny

Kath Dalmeny

Chief Executive, Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming

 

David Fursdon

David Fursdon

Chairman, Beeswax Dyson Farming & Trustee, National Trust

 

Professor David Hill CBE

Professor David Hill CBE

Founder, The Environment Bank & Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Trustee

 

Professor Tim Jackson

Professor Tim Jackson

Director, Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity, University of Surrey

 

Ann Jones

Ann Jones

Vice Chair, National Federation of Women’s Institutes

 

Ufi Ibrahim

Ufi Ibrahim

Strategic Business Leader, Former CEO, British Hospitality Association

 

Dr David Pencheon OBE

Dr David Pencheon OBE

Honorary Professor at University of Exeter, Formerly Director of the Sustainable Development Unit for NHS England and Public Health England

 

Dame Fiona Reynolds

Dame Fiona Reynolds

Master, Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge & former Director-General, National Trust

 

Andrew Selley

Andrew Selley

Chief Executive, Bidfood

 

Baroness Barbara Young

Baroness Barbara Young

Chair, Woodland Trust & Member of the House of Lords

 

Sue Pritchard

Sue Pritchard

Director, The RSA Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (ex officio)

 

Project team

Sue Pritchard

Sue Pritchard

Director

 

Professor Tom MacMillan

Professor Tom MacMillan

Director of Research

 

Kenny McCarthy

Kenny McCarthy

Project Management and Production Lead

 

Fiona Gately

Fiona Gately

Communications Lead

 

Tobias Phibbs

Tobias Phibbs

Researcher

 

Elliot Kett

Elliot Kett

Project and Engagement Manager

 

Sophie Reid

Sophie Reid

Research Associate

 

Verity Portas

Verity Portas

Engagement and Communications Associate

 

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