Scobey joined WCF in 2016 after working for more than 30 years in rural development and poverty reduction at the World Bank Group.
The cocoa industry is coming under increasing pressure from lawmakers in Europe and the United States to act on cleaning up its supply chain and eliminate child labour and ending deforestation. The WCF is an influential body with more than 100 members from farmers to financial institutions, cocoa processors, chocolate makers and manufacturers.
Its membership is drawn from six continents, representing 80% of the global cocoa and chocolate market, and provides a uniquely informed perspective on the interconnected nature and needs of the cocoa industry.
Chairman Barry Parkin said the WCF is sad to lose Scobey’s leadership at this complex time.
“Rick has provided outstanding leadership in the continued evolution of WCF. Under his watch, we have developed our new vision and strategy set out in the Pathway for Sustainable Cocoa, launched the new public-private partnerships of Cocoa & Forests Initiative and CocoaAction Brazil, pivoted to a new framework to address child labour, deepened our policy dialogue on key sustainability issues with the West African governments and key donors, broadened WCF member engagement in WCF programmes, and revamped internal systems and staffing to ensure an effective and efficient organization.”
The WCF Board of Directors said they will oversee a selection process to replace Scobey to ensure WCF continues to deliver on its vision ‘of a thriving and sustainable cocoa sector, where farmers prosper, communities are empowered, and the planet is healthy’.
TRAFFIC monitors global wildlife trade and promotes sustainable management of wild plants and animals. Scobey replaces Executive Director, Steven Broad, who will continue to lead TRAFFIC through to the handover in May.
The Chair of TRAFFIC’s Board of Trustees, Mark Halle, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rick Scobey to TRAFFIC. He brings to the job an important range of skills and a vast experience that will allow him to build on the solid foundation that Steven Broad has laid for the organisation in the last 25 years. Under Rick's leadership, we are confident TRAFFIC will continue to expand its efforts to meet the challenges of achieving its mission in a world profoundly shaken by the COVID pandemic. The Board looks forward to welcoming Rick and to working closely with him and the full TRAFFIC team in setting the strategic direction for the organisation over the coming period.”
In a statement, Scobey said: “I am honoured and excited to join TRAFFIC as the new Executive Director and lead this great team. The organisation plays a critical role in gaining insights into global wildlife trade that it uses to inform and support action that ensure benefits to conservation and human wellbeing.”
