The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) has appointed Suzanne Blake as Head of Strategic Partnerships and Membership, bolstering its leadership team as the global cocoa sector navigates rising regulatory expectations, market volatility and accelerating climate pressure.
Suzanne will lead engagement with WCF’s member companies and strategic partners, deepening collaboration across industry, NGOs, investors and landscape initiatives. Her remit includes expanding and strengthening WCF’s membership community, aligning partners around shared sustainability priorities and accelerating coordinated action on climate resilience, farmer livelihoods and forest protection. She will also play a central role in shaping WCF’s external positioning, translating complex sustainability challenges into high-impact partnerships and scalable initiatives that deliver measurable progress across cocoa landscapes.
Suzanne brings more than 20 years of international experience across communications, sustainability strategy and climate finance. She has held senior leadership roles at Macmillan and Phaidon and at global agencies including FutureBrand and SalterBaxter, leading marketing, corporate communications and business development for cross-sector clients.
Most recently, at climate and nature investment and advisory firm Pollination, she led partnerships, marketing and industry engagement, convening coalitions around nature-based and climate solutions at major international forums.
Suzanne also advises the Nature Positive Landscapes Initiative on communications and partnership strategy. She holds an MA in History from the University of Edinburgh and a Certification in Sustainable Finance from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Commenting on her appointment, Suzanne Blake said: “Cocoa sits at the intersection of forest protection, farmer livelihoods and global supply chain resilience. At a time when expectations of the sector are rising, the opportunity is to turn shared ambition into practical, collective action. WCF has a unique convening role, and I look forward to working with members and partners to scale solutions that secure cocoa’s future.”
Dougal Freeman, WCF Vice President of Operations, added: “Suzanne brings a rare blend of strategic corporate affairs expertise, sustainability leadership and coalition-building experience. As the sector faces heightened scrutiny and opportunity, her ability to align diverse stakeholders around shared priorities will strengthen WCF’s capacity to accelerate impact.”
