Mella Frewen joins Foundation Earth Board of Directors

Foundation Earth welcomes Mella Frewen, former Director General of FoodDrinkEurope, to its board of Directors. Mella is the fourth non-Executive director to join, alongside representatives from EIT Food and Finnebrogue Artisan.

With over 30 years’ experience working in the food sector, Mella comes with a wealth of experience that spans scientific, political and industry-level engagements.

“We are excited to welcome Mella Frewen to our Board, who will bring deep insight and knowledge to help us achieve our mission of affecting the change for a systemic transition in the food industry,” says Cliona Howie, CEO at Foundation Earth

Currently a non-executive Director on the Board of Hume Brophy since March 2022, Mella has broad expertise in the food and drinks sector, holding the position of Director for Government Affairs EMEA for Monsanto from 2002 to 2007, and more recently Director General of FoodDrinkEurope, the European food and drink industry organisation, since 2007.

Previous positions she has held include European Director for International Relations at Eridania Béghin-Say and Manager at Ferruzzi Europa, Europe’s largest agri-industrial group. She has held numerous additional high-level posts with the European Commission (member of various EU Scientific Committees) and was a non-executive director of Aer Lingus from 2011 to 2013.

Mella Frewen is also a board member of several organisations involved in European affairs, including ERIF (European Regulatory and Innovation Forum), ReImagine Europa, RISE (Rural Investment for a Sustainable Europe) Foundation, and the IIEA (Institute for International and European Affairs). She is a member of the Jury of EUCYS (European Union Contest for Young Scientists) and the Vice Chair of the FAO/OECD’s Advisory Board for Responsible Business Conduct across global agri-food chains.

Mella holds a Master’s degree in Marine science, an INSEAD certificate in International Operations Management, and a Harvard certificate in International Agri-industrial affairs. Of Irish nationality, she is married to an Italian and together they have three young adult children.

“I am very excited to join the Board of Foundation Earth. Science-based environmental information is essential to help consumers make more sustainable buying choices. Foundation Earth works with food producers and retailers to provide just that – one harmonised and science-based environmental labelling system. I am proud to work with the organisation and to help it achieve its important ambitions,” says Mella Frewen.