Thanks Joe

Last week, Joe Osman attended his last meeting as one of our directors. I am grateful for all his support, challenge and input over the last 4 years. His depth of knowledge and contribution to our discussions across a wide variety of topics has been of huge value. As I was reflecting on this, I remembered the thorough and extremely helpful workshop he facilitated with the team as we sought to become Guaranteed Members of WFTO (World Fair Trade Organisation) and his supportive follow up from that day as we navigated the WFTO processes.

We will really miss Joe and asked him to say a few words - “Having left Traidcraft back in 2019 after nearly 40 years it didn’t feel like I was finished in being involved in the practicalities of Fair Trade so it was an absolute privilege to then get involved as a non-executive director of JTS (now True Origin Foods) just a few months later.

"JTS was a supplier to Traidcraft whist I was still there, and it always appeared to me to be one of the few dedicated Fair Trade organisations that was closest to many of the founding principles of Fair Trade. In fact, JTS reminded me of Traidcraft in its early years with a trading entity putting Fair Trade into practice and working directly with producer groups, but closely integrated with a charitable trust supporting those same groups.

“I now leave True Origin after a four year term and now ready to be a supporter of Fair Trade merely as a consumer. It’s been great to see the organisation develop over the last four years, not just in terms of sales growth but in terms of its now prominent and respected place in the UK Fair Trade landscape, especially now that Traidcraft is no longer around. Now with its fantastic rebranding I’m sure it’s a case of ‘upwards and onwards’ and I wish it every success.”

Mary Popple, as chair of the Board has commented “I am very sad that Joe is now moving on from the Board of True Origin. Joe has been a huge help to me as Chair of True Origin. He has always given wise and thoughtful counsel at Board meetings and his profound knowledge of the history and context of Fair Trade has help us steer True Origin successfully through the turbulent years we have just seen. Thank you and best wishes for the future.”

We really like the top image of Joe receiving a wee thank you at his last board meeting, taken by Lindsey at Edinburgh Photographic.