In her new role at GS1 UK, Godfrey will lead the team responsible for supporting the body’s community of nearly 45,000 members, and will help to shape its next three-year strategy.
Godfrey joins from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), where she was CEO for four years, with her predecessor Gary Lynch, who served at the helm for 16 years, announcing his intention to retire at the end of the year.
Prior to her tenure at CIEH, Godfrey served in senior positions at The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), The Law Society and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
The onset of the global pandemic has increased the importance of the products and services that GS1 UK provides, from unique identifiers that ensure accurate traceability of products in the healthcare and retail supply chain, to services that facilitate the accurate transfer of product data.
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“In these unprecedented times, it has never been more important for us to support businesses both large and small, and to inform and protect consumers,” said new GS1 UK CEO Godfrey.
“The effects of the Covid-19 crisis and the end of UK’s transition period after Brexit are ongoing, and it is vital that organisations like GS1 UK continue to provide continuity of business for our members. Our standards are global and facilitate not only cross-border trade, but also help to maintain trust and efficiency in the supply chain.
“I could never have envisaged a virtual induction, meeting staff, members and stakeholders online. It has been an interesting experience, to say the least, but I look forward to the time when I meet our members face to face.
“It is exciting to be leading GS1 UK at a time when our trusted data standards will be so vital for British business. I look forward to working with our community to deliver tangible benefits for our members and their customers.”
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Chris Tyas, chair of GS1 UK, commented: “Anne understands GS1 UK’s priorities, balancing commercial imperatives with the needs of our members, ultimately placing the informed, protected consumer at the heart of what we do. This combined with her experience in public health and environmental protection, and the industry partnerships she brokered at the CBI, make her an ideal fit for GS1 UK.
“With this wealth of knowledge, we are confident that Anne will strengthen GS1 UK’s resolve and purpose to support our members across all our key sectors, keeping patients, consumers and citizens safe and informed. I look forward to seeing the developments that follow in this turbulent time, and how we can continue to provide trust through the accurate data our standards deliver.
“Anne has been on-boarding virtually at GS1 UK as a consequence of continuing restrictions and Government guidance. The repercussions of the pandemic, and the uncertainty surrounding the end of the Brexit transition period will be key concerns Anne will address as part of her strategic approach in the coming months.”
