Governance

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Governance Tree

Freedom Food is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the RSPCA, set up to administer the RSPCA’s farm animal welfare labelling scheme, RSPCA Assured.

The function and responsibilities of the Freedom Food Board of directors

To provide strategic leadership in line with RSPCA Assured’s purpose, vision and goals
To periodically review RSPCA Assured’s charitable purposes, and the external environment in which it works, to make sure that the charity, and its purposes, stay

relevant, sustainable and valid
To be clear about the desired outputs, outcomes and impacts of RSPCA Assured
To act with integrity, adopting values and creating a culture which helps achieve the organisation’s charitable purposes
To adhere to a suitable code of conduct that sets out expected standards
To ensure that the charity follows the law. It also considers adherence to non-binding rules, codes and standards, for example, relevant regulatory guidance
To make sure that there are proper arrangements for staff appointment, supervision, support, appraisal, approval of remuneration and, if necessary, dismissal
To make sure that its decision-making processes are informed, rigorous and timely, and that effective delegation, control and risk assessment, and

management systems are set up and monitored
To devote sufficient time to the charity to carry out their responsibilities effectively. This includes preparing for meetings and sitting on Board committees and other governance bodies where needed.

The function and responsibilities of the Freedom Food Board chairperson

To provide leadership to the Board and take responsibility for ensuring the Board has agreed priorities, appropriate structures, processes and productive culture and has trustees who are able to govern well and therefore add value to the charity

The Board members

Board members must not be involved with any groups or businesses which contravene our

policies, or which seek to actively lobby, target or campaign against the RSPCA or RSPCA Assured.

Name: David Smith
Role: Chairperson
Date of initial appointment: 21 November 2019
Max-term ends: 2028
Present director or chairperson roles: Hamleys

Name: Rene Olivieri
Role: Vice-Chairperson
Date of initial appointment: 21 November 2019
Max-term ends: 2028
Present director or chairperson roles: RSPCA, The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Name: Madeleine Crawley
Role: Non-executive
Date of initial appointment: 5 June 2018
Max-term ends: 2027
Present director or chairperson roles: N/A

Name: Ruth Layton
Role: Non-executive
Date of initial appointment: 3 July 2020
Max-term ends: 2029
Present director or chairperson roles: Food Ethics Council

Name: Bob Bayliss
Role: RSPCA Member
Date of initial appointment: 7 July 2016
Max-term ends: 2021
Present director or chairperson roles: N/A

Name: Paul Baxter
Role: RSPCA Member
Date of initial appointment: 5 July 2012
Max-term ends: 2021
Present director or chairperson roles: RSPCA Isle of Wight

Succession planning

The minimum number of Board members is five, with no maximum limit. Board members shall hold office for a maximum of three 3-year terms from the date of appointment. Any Board member who is a council member of the RSPCA or RSPCA employee shall cease to hold office if they resign or are otherwise terminated in their employment.

In year two of each term, Board members must have a review with the CEO to

assess their participation and contributions to RSPCA Assured.

In the final year of the first and second term, Board members must have a review with the CEO to agree whether or not they will extend their term.

Non-executive directors are recruited to fill gaps in the Board’s expertise, which may include specialisms such as finance, farming, certification, marketing or retail. The role is either advertised or someone will be identified as a result of a recommendation. The CEO then meets the candidate for an initial meeting, which is followed by an interview with the Chairperson and another member of the Board.

RSPCA Board members are voted on to the Freedom Food Board by the RSPCA Board.