Fair Trade Tourism MD, Jane Edge, will leave FTT at the end of February, with Ana Lemmer, who joined FTT over a year ago as Programme Development Manager, taking over the reins as CEO until further notice.
Jane Edge, FTT MD.
After spending four years on the Board, much of it served in an executive capacity, Edge has expressed her wish to devote more time to private interests and to spending more time with family abroad.
On behalf of the Board, Dr. Salifou Siddo, FTT Chairman, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Edge for her dedication to FTT over the past four years, during which time she helped grow the organisation into a considerable responsible tourism force in Africa. We will miss Edge’s energy and enthusiasm and wish her well with her future endeavours.”
“During my four years at FTT, I’ve witnessed tremendous growth in the tourism sector adopting responsible practices,” commented Edge. “I have every expectation that FTT and other sustainability certifications will soon become mainstream in Africa. On my part, I will definitely keep flying the flag.”
Lemmer holds a Masters in Philosophy in Cultural Tourism and Heritage Studies and worked with Fairtrade International in several capacities prior to joining FTT. She previously headed up an EU- and UN-funded project to promote sustainable consumption and production in South Africa and represents FTT on the UN World Tourism Organisation One Planet Sustainable Tourism Multi-Actor Platform.
Commenting on her appointment, Lemmer said: “I am excited to continue the important mission encapsulated in FTT’s programme. I salute tourism businesses that are committed to a more responsible industry and urge more major tourism companies to join us in taking the sustainability movement forward.”
“The Board has every confidence in Lemmer and believes that she possesses both the strategic and project management skills necessary to help drive FTT’s growth further,” concluded Siddo.
