Dr Rhian Hayward MBE has been appointed as Board Member for Wales and Chair of the Welsh Food Advisory Committee by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Dr Hayward has been appointed by Lynne Neagle, Deputy Minister for Health and Wellbeing and is set to occupy the role for three years starting on 1 September 2023.

Commenting on Dr Hayward’s new position, Professor Susan Jebb, Chair of the FSA, said: “I am delighted to welcome Rhian to the FSA Board.  She will bring a breadth of knowledge and experience to the Board and to WFAC, with deep insights in relation to the devolved structures within which the FSA operates.

“I look forward to working with her as we continue to protect public health and deliver on our mission of ‘food you can trust’.”

During her career, Dr Hayward has occupied positions in the field of science and innovation. She has acted as Vice Chair of the UK Science Park Association and has also held public appointments for Welsh Government. These include membership of the Welsh Industrial Development Board and the Food & Drink Industry Board.

Dr Hayward is originally from Swansea, Wales and holds the CEO position for AberInnovation wher she encourages research collaborations between businesses, entrepreneurs and academics. She also has a DPhil from University of Oxford in infectious disease epidemiology and a first-class BSc from King’s College London and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Previously, Dr Hayward was awarded the MBE for services to Entrepreneurship in Wales in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2016.

Sharing her thoughts on her new position, Dr Hayward said: “It is a source of great pride to join the FSA Board and support their important work in protecting public health and consumer interests in food. The role of advising on matters relating to Wales and representing Welsh interests is one I accept with considerable enthusiasm and personal commitment.”

Also commenting on the new Board Member for Wales, Peter Price, outgoing Board Member for Wales and Chair of the Welsh Food Advisory Committee, said: “I am delighted to be handing over to Rhian who has a wealth of relevant experience.  As well as wide scientific knowledge, Rhian is leading developments in Wales’s food industry.

“She will be a promoter – as well as a guardian – of Welsh interests, ranging from those of consumers and farmers to those of producers and innovators.