Who is the new Deputy Chair of the FSA?

In an announcement, the Food Standards Agency has revealed that its new Deputy Chair is Timothy Riley.

Riley started his role on 1 January 2024 and will be in this position for three years.

Commenting on the update, Professor Susan Jebb, Chair of the FSA said: “I am delighted that Timothy, who has made an outstanding contribution as an FSA Board Member since 2019, will now become Deputy Chair of the Food Standards Agency. 

“Timothy’s experience as a Board member across a range of public and private bodies, combined with his scientific background and knowledge of the food and farming sector, make him exceptionally well qualified to take up this role.  I look forward to working closely with him.” 

In a statement, Riley explained that he highly values the role and work of the FSA in ensuring that “our food is safe and is what it says it is.

“The FSA’s contribution to Public Health and to consumer confidence is vitally important and so I am really pleased to take up the role of Deputy Chair and to support the FSA going forward.”

Stepping up to the plate: Leigh Keith

Since 2019 Riley has been a Board Member of the FSA and the Chair to its Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC). Between 2013 to 2019, he was a Member of the FSA Advisory Committee on Animal Feedstuffs.

Riley’s academic background concerns Molecular Immunology and brings with him his experience as a Senior Civil Servant as he was previously Head of NHS Public Health Policy and of Clinical Standards, heading the team that established the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

What’s more, Riley has previously operated a commercial Beef and Lamb farm in West Yorkshire for over 30 years, with the FSA revealing he has a “keen interest in sustainable and nature friendly agriculture”. In addition he is President to the UK Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society, Board Member and ARAC Chair to the Defra Veterinary Medicines Directorate and a member of the UK Genetics of Livestock and Equines Committee.