Divine Chocolate Appoints New Chairman

Mr Hartzell has over 25 years of experience of developing new businesses, including the positive investment marketplace, Ethex and the Ethical Property Company.

Jamie Hartzell said, “I’m thrilled to be appointed chair of Divine, it brings together two of my greatest passions – top quality chocolate and tackling global inequality. What could be better. Divine has carried Fairtrade so far forward since it was first founded 14 years ago. I’m looking forward to the challenge of taking that journey further.”

Sophi Tranchell MBE, managing director of Divine Chocolate said, “I am delighted that Jamie Hartzell has been appointed as our new chair. Divine has a unique business model which has been at the heart of the Fairtrade movement and has been a catalyst for change in the chocolate industry. Our board is there to ensure that we deliver on our mission, they have the expertise and experience to guide Divine’s continued growth and ensure it continues to deliver a real impact for the farmers that own us. I am looking forward to working with Jamie - he will be an exciting addition to the Divine team, steering us through the next step of our journey.”

Mr Hartzell replaces Patrick Fleming, who said, ““Divine is a very special company. Dignified trading relations with producers are fundamentally important and, by showing that business can be done differently, Divine has been a catalyst for change in the chocolate industry, not only in the UK but also further afield. I have been immensely privileged to be a small part of the Divine story which I am sure will continue to captivate consumers and make a difference to the lives of smallholder farmers for many years to come.”