Western Branch Conference: WinWin at audits, how to have a successful day

Chair:

Ian Jaques - IFST Western Branch

Ian graduated form Reading University with a degree in Food Technology and has worked in the Food industry for over 40 years in a variety of roles spanning the Product Development and Technical areas. During his career Ian has worked for Nestlé UK, Northern Foods, Yeo Valley, ABF, Morrisons and latterly Tate and Lyle Sugars where he was European Quality Director. Ian now supports SME companies with Food Safety and Quality system advice.

Paula Boult - Technical Manager, Blackmore Vale Dairies

WinWin at audits from a Factory Perspective, keeping the site audit ready

Paula joined the food industry 35 years ago after graduating from Reading University with a degree in Food Science. Always working in quality and food safety her current role is Technical Manager at BV Dairy (part of the First Milk group) in Shaftesbury, Dorset. She is responsible for the all the Food Safety and Quality at the site and management of the Anaerobic Digester. Prior to this role she was a Certification Manager for GFSI standards and a BRCGS Auditor and trainer. Through her career she has seen the BRCGS standards develop from its first publication and has been an active member of a number of the re-write working groups.

She has a lot of experience of being ‘audit ready’ for customer and third party audits. Having been an auditor and witnessed a number of audits across the globe she has also experienced the best and worst of sites that think they are ready to be audited!

Shaun Cox, Head of Technical, UK Food Certification

WinWin at audits from an Auditors perspective, things that help or hinder and audit

Simona Hanson , Complex Case Manager, Bath Spa University

Stress management during an audit

Simona has an extensive experience of working in highly demanding and often stressful environments. Prior to joining Bath Spa University in 2025 as a Complex Case Manager, Simona worked in various blue light services such as the NHS, Police and Fire & Rescue Service (FRS) and has background in hospitality too. During her time in Quality Assurance, Risk & Clinical Audit team, she was involved in two CQC inspections and also experienced the HMICFRS (His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services) inspection. Simona is passionate about supporting those exposed to potentially traumatic events and fascinated by how the human brain works. She has been supporting personnel from across various emergency services, aid charities, government and global organisations for nearly 14 years in roles within Health & Wellbeing, TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) as a TRiM Manager and Trainer, and delivered numerous trainings around Mental Health awareness, stress management and resilience.

Sarah Hall, Certification Manager, SALSA

The SALSA audit – being ready for success

Sarah Hall is the Certification Manager at SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval), the approval scheme that helps local and regional food and drink producers supply their products to national and regional buyers. With a 1st class degree in Food Science, Sarah worked in Food Manufacturing for 20 years before joining SALSA. Sarah brings with her a great passion for the UK’s SME food and Drink Sector. She is committed to the role that SALSA has in supporting these businesses, improving their food safety standards, and the wider industry benefits that this brings.

Registration and Lunch

Presentations

Conference ends