Food Standards Agency appoints new veterinary director

Tuesday 2 September 2008

Liz Redmond has been appointed as Veterinary Director at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and will take up her new post in December. She is currently Director of Animal Health and Welfare Policy in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) within the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Liz started her career as a practising veterinarian and worked in rural practices in both Australia and the UK. She later worked in Botswana, in the national veterinary diagnostic laboratory, and spent time running a large government field division. In 2003, after completing a degree in Agricultural Economics back in the UK, she became an Assistant Secretary at DARD. Her first post was Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, providing professional veterinary advice within the department. In her current role she has been leading on all aspects of animal health and welfare policy development in Northern Ireland.

Commenting on her appointment Liz said: 'I am very excited to be offered this opportunity, and am looking forward to joining the team at the FSA. As a significant amount of our food comes from animals, I can see an important role for the veterinary profession in shaping and delivering FSA policy and I am keen to explore this further.'

Tim Smith, Chief Executive of the FSA said: 'I am delighted to welcome Liz to the Agency. She is a strong, dynamic leader with all the experience needed to make a real impact on our strategic agenda. I am sure she will make a real difference to veterinary public health in the UK. I look forward to her joining the FSA.'

Liz was appointed in an open competition and replaces Alick Simmons who has taken up an appointment as Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer at Defra.