John RichesJohn Riches, among his very wide-ranging accomplishments, has been the prime mover in the establishment of Just Trading Scotland.
'In the 70’s our family spent two memorable summers in the Transkei, an ‘independent’ homeland in South Africa. My wife, Nena, worked in a hospital in the rural areas and I taught in a theological college, caught up in the apartheid struggle. It was a transformative experience which helped us to see the world through others’ eyes. On our return in 1980 we set up a Trust and a shop, the Balmore Coach House, to fund development projects. We soon realised that you can use a shop for more than just making a profit; you can use it to market the goods of small-scale producers, because, as a visitor from Bangladesh said, ‘that is what gives them their dignity.’ We became involved in the Fair Trade movement.
Five years ago, we were asked to import Eswatini’s jams and sauces. To our great surprise sales took off to the point (£100 000+), where Nena and I could no longer do it on our own. That’s how we came to set up Just Trading Scotland.'
As well as taking a lead role in the Just Trading Scotland team, Liz is director of the Rainbow Turtle Fair Trade retail business and has extensive contacts in Scottish Fair Trade.
'From the days of drinking campaign coffee as a student I have been a campaigner for justice issues. Fair Trade seems to me the simplest and most effective way of lifting people out of poverty. The opportunity to be a part of this exciting new venture that will be able to reach many people in some of the poorest parts of the world was hard to say no to!
Having studied agriculture at university I worked for the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) in Ayr, lecturing, and then as an agricultural adviser in Shetland. After marrying, completing an MPhil, having two children and spending a year in Australia we returned to Glasgow. Travels in Southern Africa and India and friends made in these places renewed my zeal for fair trade. I returned to work with the SAC drawing up environmental schemes for farmers in the west of Scotland, but at the same time became a fairtrader for Traidcraft. This gradually took over my life and all early photos of my son seem to involve Traidcraft boxes in some state of creation.
Our Traidcraft sales reached such a level that the next logical step was to open a shop - and with the offer through church of a shop unit, Rainbow Turtle was born. Since then we have successfully kick started another fair trade shop in Linlithgow. I am on the Renfrewshire Fairtrade Steering Committee and on the Scottish Fairtrade Forum.'
Tracy MitchellTracy's skills and drive as a manager and communicator are key to keeping Just Trading Scotland focussed.
'I have been living in and around Glasgow for almost 20 years now. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in environmental concerns and practical ways of helping others. I became specifically interested in fair trade through others in my church in Glasgow in the 1990s. I find the idea of trade not aid as a sustainable solution to poverty very inspiring and now devote a large part of my daily life to fair trade related projects. I was thrilled to be asked to be part of Just Trading Scotland back in December 2008 and am looking forward to getting back involved after my maternity leave.
In addition to my role at Just Trading Scotland, I am an Investor & Ambassador with Shared Interest - the world’s leading fair trade lender (I was a staff member 2005-2008) and a Traidcraft Fair Trader running stalls and larger fair trade events at my church in Glasgow. I am on the Board of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum and the One World Shop and part of the East Dunbartonshire Fairtrade Steering Group
Through my work at Shared Interest, I developed an understanding of the impact of fair trade organisations around the world; visiting producer groups in West Africa, speaking fair trade conferences in Europe & USA and working in partnership with the Fairtrade Foundation & IFAT and the wider fair trade movement.
Through my work at Shared Interest and before that at Diageo, I have gained considerable project management and Social Accounting experience.'
Liam McLaughlinLiam's very considerable managerial and practical skills are at the core of the day to day operations of Just Trading Scotland.
'After working for 27 years in industry, I wanted to work for a company that would “give something back”. I was always impressed by the Fair Trade concept of relieving poverty through trade and had been part of the team that made my own village Fair Trade approved. The opportunity at Just Trading Scotland came along at the perfect time giving me the chance to put these principles into practice on a daily basis. It has also allowed me the chance to learn new skills and look at business in a different light.
After graduating from Strathclyde university with a BSc in Mathematics, I worked in Planning within the micro-chip and computer industries for 17 years. I then moved into a number of different roles in project management and cost management before leaving the industry in 2008.'
I am married with one daughter.
Tom works with logistics companies to facilitate Just Trading Scotland's imports.
'Having spent 32+ years flying the globe with a major airline, including a stint in Flight Operations management, I had become aware, in a very direct way, of the huge inequalities that exist in our world, particularly for the citizens of the very poorest countries. The obvious lack of access to education and opportunities to live beyond subsistence level that is the lot of such a huge proportion of the world's population seemed to me to be very strong reason to use what time and skills I had make a small difference.
On visits to rural areas of a number of countries in Africa and Asia I have been privileged to have seen first hand the economic and social benefits that a fair trade premium can give to the those right at the bottom of the ladder of opportunity. Being asked to contribute to this growing company with trade justice as part of its core ethic and working with a group of very talented and committed people continues to be an inspiration.
Beside a having a familiarity with some far-flung corners of the world, I enjoy helping voluntary sector orgaisations with IT.'
Kellie has brought to Just Trading Scotland valuable organisational experience as well as tremendous interpersonal skills and initiative, all of which helps greatly in a crowded office.
'After leaving school I went straight into work for a large insurance firm. After working with another large corporate firm for several years I was keen to become involved with a company that would provide job satisfaction and be part of a worthwhile cause / venture. I am interested in the concept of fair trade and have become more and more impressed by the positive impact it has on reducing poverty. When presented with the opportunity to work for Just Trading Scotland I felt it was an excellent opportunity to pursue what I was genuinely interested in, along with a great opportunity to use and develop my business skills in a whole new perspective.
I am also a part time care worker for a family member and have been for the last 5 years. I am married and my first child - a boy - was born in March 2010.'