Alternative proteins think tank Food Frontier (FF) has appointed Dr Simon Eassom as its executive director. He replaces Jane Sydenham-Clarke, who resigned earlier in the year.
Chair and founder of Food Frontier Thomas King said Eassom’s long-standing interest in sustainable food and extensive experience spanning academia, the corporate sector, and non-profit peak bodies educator, business executive, made him the ideal candidate.
King said, “As an experienced leader, strategist and systems thinker who cares about driving positive health and environmental outcomes, Simon’s experience and values are an exceptional fit for a pragmatic and purpose-driven think tank like Food Frontier. I’m excited by how he can enable our talented team while advancing our thought leadership.”
Eassom has a PhD in applied ethics and a background in health and nutrition. As a university professor in the UK he taught courses on environmental ethics, sustainable agriculture, and deep ecology.
In the business sector, he held several executive roles across IT, education, smarter cities, and other domains. He is a thought leader on the use of Big Data, predictive analytics, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence and has consulted on the impacts of technology on the futures of work, learning, health management, and food.
Eassom said he was drawn to FF after watching the emergence of the alternative protein market as a consumer and a futurist.
He said, “We are at the start of a significant era of human social evolution brought about by exponentially accelerating technological innovation.
“Fortunately, the convergence of multiple new technologies has come at a time when the issues facing the future of humanity are requiring bold and innovative solutions not previously conceivable.
“Re-thinking our food systems and the increased provision of quality protein to supply a burgeoning demand and a growing global population is not a trend; it is an absolute imperative. I am thrilled to be joining Food Frontier at this inflexion point in history and excited by the journey ahead of us and the vital contribution Food Frontier and its partners can make.”
