Meet the SOPA team

SOPA Member Services

Debs Roberts, Organic Executive Manager
Joanna Sinclair, Member Services - Membership Manager
Jo Barron, Member Services - Policy
Becky MacAngus, Member Services - Communications

Inspectors of the Producer Scheme and Auditors of the Processors Scheme

SOPA Inspectors and Auditors come from a wide range of backgrounds but predominantly agriculture and environment or food processing and drink formulation.  All are fully qualified in auditing.  They must meet OF&G (Scotland) Ltd's Assessor Attributes to be approved to inspect farms or audit food businesses.  Performance reviews are conducted annually as well as shadow audits and regular training on organic standards, industry developments and audit procedures. OF&G (Scotland) Ltd maintains national coverage throughout the UK with organic inspectors and auditors based throughout the country.

Board of Directors

The Board meets up to 4 times a year and offers strategic direction to the organisation.

Chair Mr R Baird

Roger Baird Associates

Vice-Chair Mr Gordon Whiteford

of Lower Mill of Tynet, Fochabers

Mrs D Roberts

Farmton, Auchterarder

Mr Edward Smith

of Norvite, Insch

Mr A Elder

Chapel Farm, North Berwick

Mr C Wright

Aberdeenshire

Mrs J McLean

Mains Of Culsh, Turriff

Ms Gemma Clarke

MD, Cope Seeds and Grain

Ms Rosa Holt

Farm Adviser

Company Secretary

Ms Joanna Sinclair

The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

The TAC is a requirement of certification.  It is an independent OF&G (Scotland) Ltd Committee with related industry expertise that meets regularly to review the certification operations conducted by inspectors, auditors and certification officers. It is the TAC responsibility to ensure the SOPA organic standards are being implemented correctly and organic integrity is protected throughout the certification process and supply chain.