World Cocoa Foundation president Martin Short confirms departure from his role

The president of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), Martin Short, has confirmed that he is set to stand down from the post after just under a year in the role, writes Neill Barston.

He is reportedly leaving to take up new opportunities, and stated that he is leaving the organisation – which is dedicated to delivering sustainability with the sector, in a strong position in its global mission.

Short, who took over from Rick Scobey, and led a strategy review with its internal board, will be succeeded on an interim basis by Chris Vincent, the foundation’s Senior Vice President for Programs, will be Interim President effective from Monday, August 8.

“It was a privilege to work with the talented team at the Foundation and an engaged and enthused Board of Directors and to lead the strategy review that has put the Foundation on a strong footing,” Short said.

“The Foundation is poised to move to another level of success and will be looking for the leadership to achieve that with the new strategy.”

Born in Britain, Short had joined the Foundation after holding leadership positions in the non-profit and private sectors. His most recent position was as Chief Executive Officer at The Power of Nutrition, a United Kingdom and U.S.-based non-profit.

Foundation Chairman Barry Parkin said: “We’re sorry that Martin has decided to leave after a strong start at the Foundation and wish him well in his new endeavours. The Foundation’s Board will immediately start a search for a replacement to ensure that the plans to further increase the Foundation’s impact on sustainability can be quickly implemented.”

As a non-profit international membership organisation, the WCF aims to help deliver a thriving, healthy and equitable cocoa sector, where farmer poverty, child labour, and deforestation are overcome. It has championed multi-stakeholder partnerships, and convenes and aligns public and private investment, policy dialogue, and joint learning and knowledge sharing both among its membership and external partners and stakeholders to achieve transformative change in the cocoa supply chain.

 

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