Sustainability consultant named SEPA deputy chair
The Scottish Government has appointed Franceska van Dijk as new deputy chair of the board of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), which overseas many of the facets of fish farming.
Van Dijk’s term runs from March 2022 until the end of next year.
The board is responsible for the overall direction and performance of SEPA, including efficiency and effectiveness as a public body. Members come from a variety of business, environmental and health backgrounds.
One Stone Advisors
Van Dijk is chief executive of sustainability consultancy One Stone Advisors Ltd, with listed and non-listed clients across a range of sectors. The company has B Corp certification, a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.
The company’s clients have included generator provider Aggreko, brewer Carlsberg, food processor Danish Crown, Scotch whisky distiller Edrington (Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark, The Macallan, Highland Park), power supplier SSE, travel firm TUI and paper products manufacturer Kimberly-Clark (Australia and New Zealand).
Van Dijk holds an MA in Archaeology and Anthropology from the University of Cambridge and an MA in Environmental Management from the European Association for Environmental Management Education.
She served on the board of the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute from 2004-2011, on Montanaro Asset Management’s advisory board from 2018-2021 and chairs the Macaulay Development Trust.
‘A critical role’
“SEPA plays an important role in the life of Scotland, and we are changing and adapting, creating a world class environment protection agency fit for the challenges of tomorrow,” SEPA chair Bob Downes said in a press release.
“Now more than ever we have a critical role to play in helping support Scottish businesses to adapt and focus on a drive towards tackling climate change.
“With Franceska’s experience in all aspects of sustainability, she will play a critical role in helping our people deliver our ambitious One Planet Prosperity agenda.”
Van Dijk said: “Companies with a green ethos and sustainable practices will thrive in a modern Scotland. We are heading towards a low carbon economy and SEPA has a special role to play supporting and advising businesses as part of that.”
