The chief executive of the Fairtrade Foundation will step down at the end of 2024 after 12 years in post. 

In an announcement last week the charity, which ​​works with farming co-operatives, businesses and governments to make trade fairer, said that Gidney would be taking up a new role at a UK charity that would be announced shortly. 

“During Michael’s tenure, he skilfully steered the Fairtrade Foundation to ensure that Fairtrade in the UK is now firmly on the agenda,” the charity said. 

Before joining the Fairtrade Foundation in 2009, Gidney spent eight years as director of policy at Traidcraft, where he led research and advocacy programmes on issues including international trade policy, corporate accountability, competition and responsible sourcing.     

Commenting on the move, Gidney said: “There is never a perfect time to leave, but with Fairtrade in good shape, after 12 years as chief executive, it feels like the right moment – and an exciting time for my successor to shape the next phase of the Fairtrade Foundation’s future.

“If Fairtrade has demonstrated anything, it is the power that individuals have – on farms, in businesses, in communities across the UK and supported by the brilliant team at the Fairtrade Foundation – to make a difference.” 

A spokesperson for the Fairtrade Foundation confirmed that the charity’s board and senior leadership team were currently in the process of recruiting for a replacement chief executive.