The Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA) has named David Frankish as it new Chair, effective 1 February. He succeeds Pam Alexander, who will step down after six years in office.
Frankish, who has extensive board-level experience of the UK grocery logistics sector and food manufacturing, will serve a three-year term. He is currently Vice Chair of NFT Distribution Ltd, one of the UK’s largest grocery logistics providers, and is also Chair of the Employment and Skills Board at the CBI, as well as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and serves on the Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s Professional Standards Committee.
“I’m delighted to have been appointed Chair of CGMA,” says Frankish. “Whilst I’m sure the combination of a dynamic operational environment and an exciting redevelopment project carries with it the potential to be challenging, I feel I have the right experience and skillset to build on the robust progress made under the guidance of the outgoing Chair, Pam Alexander.
CGMA is the statutory corporation that runs New Covent Garden Market, the UK’s largest fresh produce market, and reports to Defra. New Covent Garden supplies 40 per cent of the fresh produce eaten outside the home in London and 75 per cent of London’s florists. Since becoming Chair, Alexander has led the £200m redevelopment of the market, taking the project from planning to construction.
“I am sad but excited to hand on the redevelopment of the iconic New Covent Garden Market to David Frankish,” says Alexander. “I feel sure that his unparalleled experience in food industry logistics, business development and customer service will contribute renewed vigour and confidence to the whole team. There is hard work ahead over the coming years, and I look forward to the opening of a refreshed 21st century market and a new Food Quarter for London.”
In her two terms, Alexander oversaw the successful opening of a new Flower Market, the Food Exchange, new football pitches for the local community over the market’s new Recycling Centre and the start of construction of the new Fruit and Veg Market, the heart of a new Food Quarter for London at Nine Elms. She also chairs the Cultural Steering Group for the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea regeneration programme.
“I would like to thank Pam for her leadership, vision and determination over the last six years, which have been instrumental in securing a bright future for New Covent Garden Market,” says Daniel Tomkinson, chief executive of Covent Garden Market Authority.
David Rutley MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Food and Animal Welfare, also applauded Alexander’s work whilst welcoming Frankish to the role.
“David joins at an exciting and challenging time in the redevelopment of New Covent Garden Market. He brings with him the skills and experience needed to build on the much valued work led by Pam Alexander and CGMA to help secure the future of the market, its traders and customers.
“I would like to thank Pam for her passion for the market and for driving forward the vision of an iconic world class facility at the heart of London’s food sector.”
