Iain Ferguson has been Chief Executive of Tate & Lyle PLC since May 2003. Iain is active in a number of key industry groups. He is currently a member of the UK Government's Council of Food Policy Advisers, a member of the Institute of Grocery Distribution's Policy Issues Council, and Honorary Vice President of the British Nutrition Foundation.
He has served on a number of public/governmental bodies, including the Health & Safety Commission quinquennial review, the DTI Foresight Panel, the Board of Companies House (1989–1996), the Board of Rothamsted Research Ltd (1996–2005) and as a Commissioner on the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food. He is also a former President of both the Food & Drink Federation (2006–2008) and the Institute of Grocery Distribution (2003–2004).
Iain Ferguson joined Unilever in 1977 as a trainee following graduation from St Andrews University. His early career included roles in operations, sales and industrial marketing. In 1988 he became Chairman of Plant Breeding International and in 1992 his role expanded to include Chairmanship of the Unilever Plantation Group. He moved to be Chairman of Birds Eye Walls in 1995 and then Senior Vice President Corporate Development for Unilever plc and NV in April 2001. Iain served as a Non-Executive Director of Sygen International plc from 2002 until 2006.
In the June 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours List, Iain was awarded a CBE for services to the food industry.
