New DSF ADCO Chair – Mr Gilles Froment

The DSF Advisory Council (ADCO) is the DSF’s Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group who provide a valuable resource for Governors to challenge, identify and explore solutions to dairy sustainability priorities. They are the eyes and ears for the dairy sector, and operate in a similar manner to DSF members' Local Management Groups, by bringing a range of different perspectives to our sustainability journey. A big thank you to Piercristiano Brazzale who, after four years in post, has stepped down from his role as chair of the DSF ADCO and DSF Governor representing the International Dairy Federation (IDF), at the end of 2024. Not the easiest of times for the role, through Covid, with less face-to-face meeting opportunities, Piercristiano has ensured this ADCO can maximise the value of the DSF to the wider stakeholder for which the Governors and secretariat are immensely grateful.

The DSF ADCO’s new Chair is Gilles Froment. As President of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), Gilles is the new DSF Governor representing the IDF, replacing Piercristiano.

The current DSF ADCO membership consists of the following organisations: American Humane, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Global Dairy Platform (GDP), Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), International Dairy Federation (IDF) (as Chair representing the DSF Governors), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Rabobank, The Nature Conservancy, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). More details of the DSF ADCO can be found on the DSF website.

The ADCO held a face-to-face meeting in May, in Washington DC, hosted by WWF, so we took the opportunity to ask Gilles for his early thoughts about his new role as Chairman of this important group.

How did you find your first DSF ADCO meeting?
In early May, I had the opportunity to attend and chair my first DSF ADCO meeting at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Offices in Washington, DC. I appreciated meeting the ADCO members in person, which made the experience even more enriching. I found the meeting to be incredibly insightful and productive. It was a great opportunity to engage with a diverse group of stakeholders who are all committed to advancing sustainability within the dairy sector. The face-to-face interaction allowed for open and dynamic discussions, which I believe are crucial for addressing the complex challenges we face.

What did you appreciate regarding the input of the ADCO to the evolution of the DSF?
Well, first, the meeting allowed me to better understand the DSF journey and main programme of work. I had the opportunity to present an update on the work that was initiated following the signature of the Paris Dairy Declaration on Sustainability in October 2024. The ADCO meeting facilitated a fruitful discussion on key areas of collaboration and ensured that we are not duplicating any efforts.

I greatly appreciated the diverse perspectives and expertise that the ADCO members brought to the table. Their input is invaluable in challenging our current approaches and in sourcing innovative solutions to sustainability challenges. The ADCO serves as a critical resource for the DSF Governors, ensuring that we are continuously evolving and improving the value of the DSF.

What do you see as the real value of speaking to wider stakeholders (the DSF ADCO)?
The real value of speaking to wider stakeholders through the DSF ADCO lies in the breadth of knowledge and experience they offer. Engaging with a multi-stakeholder group allows us to consider a wide range of viewpoints and ensures that our strategies are comprehensive and inclusive. This collaborative approach helps us to identify and implement effective solutions that benefit the entire dairy sector.

The discussions, suggestions, and feedback provided by experts from organisations that are not tied up with dairy issues on a day-to-day basis are invaluable. The inputs provided by the individual ADCO members are crucial in shaping DSF's strategic priorities and actions. These diverse perspectives help us challenge our current approaches and source innovative solutions to sustainability challenges.

Anything else you would like to add about Chairing the DSF ADCO?
I really look forward to making our dairy sector better with ongoing collaboration between the IDF, the DSF, and the valuable inputs from the DSF ADCO on our continuous improvement sustainability journey.
Chairing the DSF ADCO is a tremendous honour and responsibility. I am committed to fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation within the council. My goal is to ensure that we continue to challenge ourselves and push the boundaries of what is possible in dairy sustainability. I look forward to working closely with all ADCO members to drive meaningful progress as I take their feedback directly to the DSF Governors and make a positive impact with the global dairy industry.

About Gilles Froment
Mr. Froment was elected President of the IDF in October 2024 for a 4-year term after serving on the Board of Directors from 2020 to 2024 including the last 2 years as IDF Treasurer. Before that, he was Chair of the IDF Standing Committee on Dairy Policy and Economics from 2014 to 2020. He is also Chair of the IDF-IDF Canadian National Committee.

Mr. Froment is the Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations at Lactalis Canada Inc. He joined Lactalis Canada in 2016 and is a member of the Executive Team responsible for overseeing milk supply, regulatory affairs, trade, internal and external communications as well as relations with dairy farmers, government, industry stakeholders and associations.