We are pleased to announce that Helen Munday is our new President Elect. Helen was invested during IFST’s Annual General Meeting on 12 March 2019.
Of her appointment Helen said: “It’s a huge privilege for me to take up this position. Both traditional and innovative food and drink products play an important role in our modern lives. All too often the skills and the science and technology behind them, are taken for granted. During my tenure I will do my utmost to ensure our sector’s achievements, from academic research through to commercialisation, are widely recognised and valued.
I will strive to ensure that the food sector is as admired as others such as aerospace, automotive and IT. I will look to balance the perception of our sector to fully recognise the positives in the food system including the role of technology and to make food and drink an aspirational career.”
Helen Munday is the Food and Drink Federation’s Chief Scientific Officer. Helen is accountable for the diverse food safety and science policy briefs, but also has responsibility for sustainability and contributes to health and wellbeing policy.
Helen has a wealth of experience of the food and drink sector. She started her career with Mars Petcare where she spent 20 years in various roles including nutrition research, product development and innovation processes. A significant period of time was spent overseas, gaining invaluable international experience. Helen served as Head of Research at the Mars Petcare Global Research Centre for over five years.
Helen has also held the position of Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for Coca-Cola and worked as Lead Technologist in AgriFood at InnovateUK.
Helen is a Fellow of Institute of Food Science & Technology and a Registered Nutritionist. With her qualifications in Agricultural Science and Meat Science, together with her vast business experience, Helen has a broad and deep knowledge across the entire AgriFood chain. On a daily basis, Helen is working with stakeholders at the most senior levels in Government, regulatory agencies, academia and NGOs, to apply developments in the topics of food science and technology for the good of all.