David Frankish has been appointed the new Chair of Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA) and will take over from Pam Alexander OBE on 1 February 2019 as she steps down at the end of her second term after six years.
David Frankish
David has extensive board level experience of the UK grocery logistics sector and food manufacturing. 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.
David Frankish said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed Chair of CGMA. 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. I very much look forward to meeting my new colleagues and stakeholders, and working with them to help deliver on all our strategic commitments.”
David Rutley MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Food and Animal Welfare said: “I welcome the appointment of David Frankish as the new chair of CGMA by the Secretary of State. 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.”
Since becoming Chair, Pam Alexander has led the £200m redevelopment of New Covent Garden Market taking the project from planning to construction. In her two terms, Pam has overseen 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 here at Nine Elms. She also chairs the Cultural Steering Group for the whole of the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea regeneration programme.
Pam Alexander OBE
Pam said: “After six years at CGMA I am sad but excited to hand on the redevelopment of the iconic New Covent Garden Market to David Frankish. 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.”
Daniel Tomkinson, CEO of Covent Garden Market Authority said: “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. I am delighted to welcome David Frankish and look forward to working with him as we move into the next phase of the redevelopment, creating a modern market at Nine Elms.”
CGMA is the team that looks after and runs New Covent Garden Market. Set up by Acts of Parliament in 1961, CGMA is accountable to Defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and led by the Board, members of which are appointed by the Defra Secretary of State. The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP has appointed David Frankish.
New Covent Garden Market