Sarah Daniels, The RedCat Partnership Ltd
Sarah is a pragmatic Health and Safety Professional, a Chartered Practitioner and owner of two collaborative businesses. Sarah’s professional career started after her first degree in Environmental Health as an Enforcement Officer; She soon realised that her skills lay elsewhere! So, 11 years after beating the compliance drum, and a less than happy return to work as a new mum she decided to set up her own business.
In April 1999 the RedCat Partnership Ltd was born. It has gone from strength to strength. The Business offers pragmatic Risk Management Consultancy and Training; the team helps businesses with their Health and Safety and/or Food Safety needs. The team work with many local and national businesses. As about 1/3 of the business is training they have now expanded into No.8 Thorpe Road; their own office and high spec training/ meeting rooms; which they rent out to help other Businesses! Social Media was seen as an essential Marketing tool for both businesses.
JOHN BASSETT, BVSC, DIP.BUS.ADMIN, MRCVS, FIFST
POLICY AND SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, IFST
John Bassett has nearly 20 years’ experience of risk assessment and risk management, in both industry and government roles. A veterinarian by training, he brings a “farm to fork” perspective on food safety challenges.
He currently juggles two main roles; he is the Policy and Scientific Development Director with the Institute of Food Science and Technology, developing and communicating scientific policy on behalf of the institute, and also runs his own consultancy, John Bassett Consulting Ltd, which works with clients in the commercial food industry as well as governments and inter-governmental agencies.
John is particularly passionate about the practical use of ‘risk-based’ approaches in innovation and food safety management systems, for industry and in the application of optimal regulatory models – he is currently a member of FSA’s expert advisory group supporting the ‘Regulating our Future’ activity.
Bob Bowman
Bob is a Chartered Scientist and Fellow of the Institute of Food Science & Technology, with a degree in Food Technology and postgraduate qualification in HACCP from the University of Salford.
In a career of two halves Bob spent the first 25 years working in NPD, Quality Assurance and Technical Management for companies such as Brooke Bond Oxo and Booker Agribusiness, where he became involved in the development of quality systems required to supply to the major UK multiple retailers.
In 1994, whilst seeking permanent employment following redundancy, he began working on fixed-term contracts, notably for Whitbread and Leatherhead Food RA. This eventually led to the establishment of his own consultancy, RGB Food Management Services, specializing in the development and implementation of food safety and quality management systems. Since then services have evolved into three main streams, as follows: -
1.Working with food producers who require additional resource and expertise to develop food safety and quality management systems to meet customer requirements. He have successfully led over a dozen manufacturing, foodservice and transport SMEs through the certification process for the BRC Global Standards for Food Safety or Storage & Distribution. Following certification, Bob has provided an ongoing technical resource for several clients, maintaining systems, advising on food quality and safety issues, carrying out Internal Audits and representing them during customer, third-party and competent authority audits.
2.As a registered BRC Auditor across all 18 food categories, auditing food producers in the UK and mainland Europe for a leading UK Certification Body.
3.Carrying out independent surveys on distressed cargoes on behalf of importers, exporters, shipping lines, logistics providers and insurance companies involved in the global trade of perishable products.
Ruth Dolby MIFST
Director at Food Science Fusion, and Associate of Nutrition at University of Nottingham
Experienced R&D professional and Cordon Bleu chef developing food from farm to fork. Ruth works with SMEs, large manufacturers, multinationals, major retailers and wholesalers, including 15 years as a development and applications specialist consultant. Respected trainer in product development, knowledge of the rest of the journey and effective cross-disciplinary working for the food industry.
Paul Fieldhouse
Management Consultant
Paul specialises in delivering business growth through strategic marketing. Experienced working with boards, business owners & teams.
A knowledgeable management consultant with strong commercial and business development skills, Paul’s advisory work revolves predominantly around the food sector. A former Chief Executive of a substantial private sector food business, he is familiar with all aspects of sustainable business growth and management development. His extensive senior operational experience has developed in him a keen instinct for commercially viable propositions and he is not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom as a means of stimulating creative thinking. His industry experience spans:-
- Strategic planning
- Sales & marketing
- Initiating and developing profitable customer relationships
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Following a successful corporate sector career in consumer goods, spanning sales and General management positions with Reckitt Benkiser, GlaxoSmithKline and the former Hillsdown Holdings, where he was Chief Executive of their UK Convenience Foods business, dealing with major grocery retailers. He went on to lead a management buy in of a food manufacturing business, supplying major airlines & foodservice companies.
A former chairman of the CFA (Chilled Foods Association) and member of the FDF (Food & Drink Federation) external relations committee, Paul has dealt with all stakeholders in food, including business, consumer groups and government. He has a wealth of food industry experience and he is particularly well connected and networked within the sector and the wider commercial world. Paul started his management consultancy career with WLP in 2001. Current retained clients include Quadram IB (formerly Institute of Food Research).
Living near Stamford, Lincolnshire, Paul is actively involved with village life and a number of local and national charities. He is a former trustee of GBWR, Wheelchair Rugby, Rutland Sailability and an active committee member of Grocery Aid.
John Points
Consultant Analytical Scientist
John Points is an independent consultant on chemical safety and authenticity testing of food; how testing fits into an overall supply chain integrity strategy, where (and where not) testing is appropriate, risk-based testing plans, choice of test methods and laboratories, interpretation of results. He has audited in the EU, China and India. John’s career has included both managing a food testing laboratory and working in UK retail own-brand supply chain assurance, and he is a past and current advisor to UK and EU food regulators. He has seen food integrity issues from all three sides of the fence. If a fence can have three sides.
Louise Roberts
Managing Director, Alimenti Food Sciences Ltd
Louise Roberts is the Managing Director of Alimenti Food Sciences Ltd, which specialises in food safety and regulatory compliance. Alimenti Food Sciences Ltd was set up in response to a need that was identified for smaller businesses that do not have this expertise, particularly producers who are growing their businesses. Alimenti covers a wide range of disciplines, including technical management; business continuity, training and supply chain management.
Louise has a degree in microbiology, is a Registered Food Safety Manager and a Member of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (UK) and Institute of Food Technologists (USA). She has an ISO 22000 Lead Auditor accreditation and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), as well as attending other professional courses, such as Practitioner in Business Continuity.
Louise has extensive experience in the field of food safety and quality management and has worked in the food service, retail and manufacturing industries. She has provided technical management and scientific advice regarding food safety to organizations such as Ministry of Defence; Tesco and Sodexo.
Rachel Ward PhD CSci FIFST
An experienced international food risk manager with over 25 years’ experience in the food industry across various technical roles in quality assurance, food safety and regulatory affairs, working with multi-disciplinary teams in supply, procurement, production and product development. Rachel has worked with a diverse range of businesses such as start-ups, independent pubs, blue chip multinational manufacturers and UK retailers on ensuring quality, food safety and regulatory compliance for food and food supplements.