Board Members

A Board of Directors is elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and democratically manages the ATC on a voluntary basis. The Board is made up of representatives from both large and small companies to ensure a wide cross-section of expertise and interests.

It meets and communicates on a regular basis to formulate strategy, and all policy matters are referred to members by the Board to be ratified by members prior to implementation.

Sub-committees are appointed as required to deal with escalating or demanding issues. The Technical Sub-Committee is the most permanent of these, with a remit to advise the Board on regulatory, scientific and technical matters relating to the protection and advancement of member’s interests. The continual flow of regulatory changes from the EU means that this is the most active committee.

An independent Administrator is responsible for the day to day running of the ATC in liaison with the Board, and for reasons of confidentiality the administrator performs the role of Code Administrator when vetting and advising members about labelling and promotional material.

Chairman: Geoff Lyth

Geoff Lyth is the owner and MD of Quinessence Aromatherapy which was established in 1986, and he has held a fascination for the healing properties of essential oils since first being introduced to them 30 years ago. Before the formation of the ATC Geoff was the Aromark Programme co-ordinator for EOTA, and in 1995 published the ‘Aromatherapy Lexicon’. Geoff writes regularly for several magazines and lectures at a variety of venues both in this country and internationally to healthcare professionals on the subjects of aromatherapy and essential oils.

Secretary: Alan Harris

Alan Harris has an Honours Degree in Physics and a post-graduate Diploma in Management Studies. His entire working career has been in the manufacturing industry, including Aluminium, Plastics and Natural Health Industries. Alan started in Production Management and progressed through Works, General Management and Director of a subsidiary of a large international group up until 1985. He started Aromatherapy Products Ltd as a new company in 1985 and is currently Company Secretary & Director of Aromatherapy Products Ltd, Botanica (UK) Ltd and Aromatherapy Training Ltd.

Board Member: John Brebner

John started in the essential oil industry via the Fragrance and Flavour industry and spent 25 years with major international companies before specializing in essential oils in 1994, and then organic oils in 1998.  He has, for the past 10 years, been deeply involved with Community Trade projects in some 15 countries and is Managing Director of S & D Aroma Ltd.  He travels extensively to the various projects to give “hands on” support.

Board Member: Chris Taylor

Chris originally started his career at Royal Institute of British Architects as part of the RIBA Companies Management Team (23 years). After completing his post-graduate in Marketing in 2002 he decided to join the family aromatherapy business (Eve Taylor™ Aromatherapy) as Director of Business Development. Eve Taylor™ is now one of the UK’s fastest growing professional aromatherapy skin and body care companies with a growing number of International offices in countries such as USA/Canada, China, Japan, Greece amongst others. Personal interests include rugby, theatre, reading and music.

Board Member: David Tomlinson

David is the owner of Absolute Aromas, which was established in 1994.

Administrator/CodeAdministrator: Ray Gransby

Ray qualified as a biologist and microbiologist in the 1960s with a BSc Honours degree in Zoology with Botany. He has more than 40 years experience in the cosmetics, toiletry, perfumery, flavour & fragrance and essential oil industries with many of the leading multi-national companies. During this time Ray held a variery of quality, technical service, production and development roles at senior management and board level specialising in legislation and regulatory affairs on a worldwide basis. Ray has considerable experience of the science of essential oils and particularly those used in aroamtherapy practice and was for several years a part-time lectuter in the chemistry of essential oils and the science of aromatherapy at Anglia Ruskin University. Ray is currently a consultant specialising in legislation and regulatory affairs.