Shane Holland is the Executive Chairman of Slow Food in the UK and Chairman of Borough Market.
He has held CEO positions across both the private and third sectors and has chaired a number of major not‑for‑profit organisations. His expertise lies in place‑making and in understanding how food shapes, binds, and strengthens communities. Shane’s work explores how food connects people and forms the fabric of daily life. He has advised on several multi‑billion‑pound regeneration schemes, ensuring that the needs of both existing and new residents are met so that cohesive, resilient communities can flourish.
A sought‑after authority on food supply and how we feed cities, Shane works at the intersection of public health, affordability, and access. He has extensive domestic and international experience in the tools and systems required to build resilience and ensure good food for all.
Within the third sector, his work has focused on supporting the most vulnerable: addressing food poverty, food skills, education, offending, and access to services. He serves as the UK Ambassador for Venner, the pan‑European charity tackling food poverty by providing good food and teaching families how to cook it.
Shane is the former Chair of Eat Club, which teaches food skills to young people, and of Plan Zheroes, the platform connecting surplus fresh food with charities and people in need. He has chaired and served on the boards of organisations working with prisoners and offenders, and he has been a school governor, championing food as an essential part of the school day.
He frequently sits on expert panels; appears across print, TV, and radio; lectures at universities; and delivers dozens of speaking engagements each year in the UK and internationally. He has also given a TED Talk as one of their “Architects of Tomorrow”.
A committed bon viveur, Shane believes that food is far more than calories — it is culture, joy, and connection. He professionally judges cheese, chocolate, coffee, wine, and charcuterie.
