Feeding Britain has today confirmed three changes to its governing board.
Professor Greta Defeyter, Stephanie Ellis, and Richard Gould have been recruited as three new trustees. They bring outstanding expertise and experience in protecting children’s nutrition, implementing local anti-poverty projects, and devising effective long-term organisational strategies.
Baroness Boycott and Andrew Forsey have been appointed as co-chairs, following Chairman, Frank Field MP’s decision to step down from the board.
The departure of Frank Field will be keenly felt at Feeding Britain as both a passionate advocate and tireless campaigner for eradicating food poverty. Frank has propelled Feeding Britain forward and under his chairmanship has supported the establishment of 12 anti-poverty networks across the country, all of which are working to eradicate hunger and poverty in their distinct areas.
As Chairman of the APPG on Hunger, Frank outlined the need for local networks to come together to collaborate and fight the scourge of hunger within our communities. Based on the recommendations from this group, Feeding Britain was constituted and immediately began work on exciting and innovative projects to combat hunger. Frank has also been a leading force, and advocate, for a centrally funded holiday meal and activity programme for children throughout the UK. Due to his tireless efforts and parliamentary campaigning, the DfE introduced a pilot funding programme in 2018.
Frank comments: ‘Feeding Britain is now delivering three major programmes which are proven to prevent and relieve hunger – citizens’ supermarkets, ‘Food Bank Plus’, and school holiday meals & activities – while simultaneously gaining changes in policy to advance the interests of poorer families. This is the strategy we agreed to pursue from day one and it is now coming to fruition. It has been a privilege, as Chair, to nurture these programmes as well as the accompanying campaigns for reform.
‘I remain very much committed to the organisation and will continue to do all I can to champion Feeding Britain’s programmes, campaigns, and fundraising. I will also continue to be active with Feeding Birkenhead, while Heidi Allen and I will shortly be publishing our first destitution report with support from Feeding Britain.’