Veryan Bliss Appointed Chair of Red Tractor Fresh Produce Sector Board

Veryan Bliss has been appointed as Chair of the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme Fresh Produce Sector Board, the organisation announced on 27 October 2025.

Ms Bliss will also join the Red Tractor Board of Directors, working to shape strategic priorities across the scheme’s fresh produce supply-chain assurance operations.

With more than three decades of experience across global fresh produce supply chains, Ms Bliss brings deep expertise in growing, packing, technical assurance, innovation and governance for the UK retail sector. Between her senior roles at Suncrop Produce Ltd (as Commercial & Technical Director) and her current advisory consultancy through Food Intelligence Limited, she has built significant credentials across both operational and strategic domains.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Bliss said: “I chose to apply for the Fresh Produce Chair role because I care deeply about bridging the gap between growers, retailers, and consumers. It’s an opportunity to help shape assurance that is proportionate, progressive, and genuinely supportive of the people who produce our food. I see Red Tractor as a shared platform for trust and progress, and I wanted to help ensure it continues to work with growers to deliver assurance that genuinely adds value.”

Alistair Macintosh, Chair of Red Tractor, welcomed the appointment and described Ms Bliss as bringing the “deep sector knowledge” needed to support producers and supply chains while maintaining consumer trust in the scheme’s standards.

The Fresh Produce Sector Board represents producers, processors and retailers within the fresh produce supply chain and is charged with maintaining the integrity and relevance of the Red Tractor fresh-produce standards. As Sector Chair, Ms Bliss will lead the board and contribute to the wider Red Tractor Board in setting strategic direction.

This appointment aligns with Red Tractor’s evolving focus on assurance frameworks that support both producer-led innovation and consumer confidence — a key axis of strategic importance as sustainability, traceability and supply-chain resilience remain front of mind for the UK fresh produce sector.

Source: Red Tractor