The Soil Association has appointed Helen Browning as its new director. She takes over from Patrick Holden who stood down in September this year following 15 years in the role. Browning will take up the post in early spring.
Helen Browning runs a tenanted 1,350-acre organic livestock and arable farm in Wiltshire. The business recently diversified to take on the running of the village pub, successfully adding a restaurant. She is currently Director of External Affairs at the National Trust and before taking up that role she was Food and Farming Director at the Soil Association for many years.
Announcing the appointment, Soil Association Chair, Orna Ni-Chionna said: “We are delighted that Helen is to rejoin us as director. She is one of the true pioneers of the organic movement, and she has a unique breadth of practical experience as well as being an inspirational campaigner. It will be a privilege to have her back with us and to work with her closely in her new role.”
Browning adds: “Leading the Soil Association is a compelling, exciting and important challenge. No other role would have drawn me from the National Trust. But it is crucial to reconcile food production with care for the health and vitality of people, wildlife, farm animals and our countryside, and the Soil Association is the best placed organisation to provide much-needed practical solutions.