Click on each mentor to find out more about them
At the age of 17, after studying hospitality, I left school unsure of my next steps and pursued an apprenticeship with Macphie and the Scottish Association of Master Bakers (SAMB). I began my journey in quality control, where I was responsible for test-baking all the products that came off our plants across various departments.
From there, I transitioned into product development, collaborating with technologists to adapt recipes and ensure compliance with regulations set by the Food Standards Agency. I was involved in developing new products, focusing on areas such as cakes, ferments, icings, fillings, and frostings.
More recently, I took on a role in the product activation team, where I visit customers to present and demonstrate products. This role also involves conducting product trials at customer premises, working closely with commercial sales colleagues to ensure successful product implementation
As FDF Scotland's CEO David is part of the senior FDF management team. David represents the views and concerns of our food and drink members to Scottish and UK governments, other policy makers, politicians and the media. David is a member of the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership Board and an Honorary Fellow of Abertay University for his work supporting the food and drink industry. He previously worked at the Scottish Government, including five years as Head of Food, Drink and Rural Communities.
Growing up on a dairy farm, I always knew I wanted to work in the food industry, just not milking cows twice a day! After gaining my honours degree at Abertay in Food, Nutrition and Health my career started in tea and coffee manufacturing, progressing to fresh produce and now snacking. Throughout my 20 years in food manufacturing, I have worked through most disciplines within technical from Quality Controller to now Head of Technical at Taylors Snacks Ltd.
After completing a degree in Environmental Biology and a Masters in Food Biotechnology I stated working in the food industry as a QC for a coffee and tea manufacture. I then moved on to Regulatory Affairs Office in an ingredient manufacturer (specifications and legislation). I then became a Customer Services Technologist (retailer facing for a major fish processing site dealing with all of the retailers) and then aTechnical Manager of a fresh produce site. I am now Head of Technical at Strathmore Foods.
After I left school, I originally trained as a chef, but I soon realised I was looking for more from career. I studies Food and Consumer Science at Abertay and loved every minute of it, I secured a placement as Highland Game during my 3rd year of Uni and I've never left. I worked from QC to now running a small NPD department as Highland Game with the help from our Sales director and Quality Manager.
Sarah is an experienced sensory and food scientist, her current role involves working with start-up companies developing new innovative products to meet their specific product goals, working with well-established companies throughout the UK to carry out consumer testing and working with academics to deliver large research grants.
Over 10 years' experience of recruitment advisor and senior roles covering sectors such as Oil & Gas, Life Sciences and FMCG. Loved every minute of it and has a huge amount of passion in working with people.