Tim Bennett has been serving as the interim Deputy Chair of the FSA since May 2011 and has been a Board member since March 2008. He was Deputy President and then President of the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales between 1998 and 2006.
Edinburgh-based Jim Wildgoose was a career civil servant for 34 years in London and Edinburgh. While Head of Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare Division in the Scottish Office and then Executive, he was responsible for the setting up of the Food Standards Agency in Scotland. He was appointed as a member of the FSA Board for Scotland on 1 March 2011 for three years; this new appointment will run concurrently with his FSA Board membership.
The Deputy Chair is a new public appointment and, as such, Tim Bennett will be eligible to be considered for a second term. He will receive £17,423 a year, working about 60 days. The appointment was made by Anne Milton, Minister for Public Health at the Department of Health.
Jim Wildgoose will work for seven days per month, and will divide his time between Board duties and SFAC. He will receive £13,937 annually, working around 48 days a year for this post. The appointment was made by Michael Matheson MSP, Scottish Minister for Public Health.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Neither Tim Bennett nor Jim Wildgoose has declared any political activity. These appointments have been made in accordance with the guidance issued by the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
