GS1 UK announces the appointment of Chris Tyas as new chair

GS1 UK, the not-for-profit standards organisation, has recently named a new chair, the former global head of supply chain for Nestlé SA, Chris Tyas.

Chris joins GS1 UK after his retirement in the second half of 2018 and 36 years with the world’s largest food and drinks company.

He is a former vice chairman of GS1 UK and, more recently, the co-chair of the Consumer Goods Forum group, helping to shape the organisation’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative. He was named as the Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH ) region’s top-ranking supply chain executive in June 2018.

Chris steps into the position vacated by Jim Spittle, who has been in the role since 2002 and has recently become chair of SSC Ltd: NHS Supply Chain.

Chris believes that the supply chain will evolve into more of a supply network because of multichannel development and increased customisation. He has embraced technological advances in the retail process and has supported the development of digital automation as well as the use of blockchain, which he helped to implement for Nestlé’s Gerber range of food products.

Chris has joined GS1 UK at an exciting time for the organisation. The past twelve months have been transformational, with a 13 per cent growth in membership and the successful launch into the UK retail market of productDNA, a new data service that provides companies with a single language for product data sharing.

On his selection as new chair, Chris said: “I am honoured to take this role in GS1UK at such a pivotal time for the organisation. It is a body and team I have had the greatest respect for over the years and I would especially like to thank Jim Spittle for the inspiration and drive he has shown in building GS1 UK into the organisation we see today.”

Speaking on behalf of GS1 UK, Jim said: “Chris is renowned as one of the most brilliant minds in the world of retail and supply chain. He joins at a crucial time for GS1 UK as we support both the digital transformation of our existing member base and the increasing number of start-ups new to the market with foundations of trusted data.

“I am delighted that he will be overseeing the organisation’s continued growth and know he will lead the board with vision and gravitas.”