FSA to recruit interim boss as search for new ceo continues

The Food Standards Agency is working with specialist recruitment agencies to find an interim manager able to hold the reins at the FSA until a permanent replacement for chief executive Jon Bell is found.

While it has been known for some time that Jon Bell is leaving when his contract expires in early April, the process of finding a successor has only just begun, with prospective candidates given until the end of March to get their applications in.

With final interviews likely to take place in June, the successful applicant was unlikely to take up the post until autumn 2006, said a spokesman.

“We’ve known that Jon was leaving for some time, but the recruitment process for someone in a position like this is very slow, involving the cabinet office and all kinds of other people, so the chairman and deputy chairman are currently looking for an interim to fill the gap for a few months.”