Sophie Lawrence

Sophie Lawrence, Programme Manager at the Food Intelligence Industry Network (FIIN), has a strong background in managing intelligence and data in both the public and private sectors. Her experience in promoting supply chain integrity and her PhD in seafood fraud make her a valuable asset to the Safe to Trade initiative.

Sophie’s passion for Safe to Trade is rooted in her commitment to ensuring the integrity and safety of food supply chains. She believes that the scheme’s standardised audit approach is essential for reducing inconsistencies and ensuring that food safety standards are consistently applied. By providing clear guidelines and reducing the reliance on individual auditors’ professional judgment, Safe to Trade helps to build a robust and reliable food safety system.

As a member of the Certification Body Impartiality Committee, Sophie is dedicated to ensuring the impartiality of certification decisions. Her extensive experience in managing intelligence and data equips her with the skills needed to critically evaluate audit reports and ensure that certification decisions are based on objective evidence. Sophie is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and integrity in the certification process, ensuring that decisions are fair and unbiased.

Sophie sees Safe to Trade as a vital tool for improving food safety standards and protecting consumer health. She recognises the scheme’s potential to influence national policies and enable local authorities to allocate their resources more effectively. By providing a novel option for regulators to complement official controls, Safe to Trade helps to address the significant challenges faced by under-resourced food control systems. Sophie is particularly enthusiastic about the scheme’s potential to promote supply chain integrity and reduce the incidence of foodborne diseases, ultimately contributing to the health and well-being of consumers worldwide.