Click on each mentor to find out more about them
Andrew graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2016 with a BSc Food Science and Nutrition Degree. He then completed the Bakkavor Accelerated Management Scheme (AMS) in Technical, working as a Process Technologist for an M&S exclusive ready meal site before moving to London as a Systems Coordinator at a site producing products for multiple retailers.
On completion of the graduate scheme, Andrew joined itsu [grocery] in a Quality Management role where he managed suppliers and co-packers globally across frozen, chilled and ambient products. Since then, Andrew has worked for Sainsbury's as a Product Technologist in the dairy category, managing Regulatory Affairs for some of the waters and dairy brands of Danone before moving to his current role as Technical Manager for The Collective, a premium yogurt brand.
I've been working with the John Lewis Partnership as a Technical Manager for 16 years, on many different categories from biscuits, to bleach and Christmas crackers. I've spend the last 10 years in chilled, working on desserts, sandwiches and ready meals.
I started my career in manufacturing, with Nestle in their confectionery division, looking after brands such as After Eight, Kit Kat and seasonal ranges. I've recently completed a coaching professional qualification, to enhance my ability as a people manager, supporting technologists, and the wider team. I'm the new chair of the Food Science MIG at Campden, and secretary of an IFST SIG. I enjoy singing with choirs, and modern jive dancing. Looking forward to meeting you.
I started life in technical at Walkers snack foods, based in Coventry back in 1994, it was here I got involved with getting the site accredited to ISO 9001, something I had to learn on the job having not had a technical background before. I took my Lead Assessors course as well as my Level 4 food hygiene which gave me a good grounding for what has become a long and enjoyable career.
From Walkers I then went into high care products, these being ready meals, meat and then sandwich fillings before eventually joining Fine Lady Bakeries back in 2002,. So no longer having to worry about pathogens and daily testing!
I am also responsible for carrying out all of our supplier audits, both in UK and abroad, something I enjoy as it gives me an insight to other processes and products.
MY role is not a 9 – 5 one but I enjoy it immensely, you never know what the next day will bring!
When I do have some spare time I am either in the swimming pool or playing golf.
Ben has always had a passion for food. Having trained as a chef, he specialised in pastry at college and worked close to 8 years in Michelin and 5* hospitality spots, including Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, The Savoy & Buckingham Palace to name drop a few. By 21 he was ready for a career change, knowing he still wanted work with food & drink he studied for a BSc in Food Development and Innovation in Birmingham and was guided to a career in food manufacturing.
So began a gear shift from sausages via sandwiches to the world of Tata Consumer Products. Ben now works at TCP (home to well-known brands such as Tetley, Tea Pigs & Joyful) where he develops products ranging from cooking sauces, cereals & hot drinks while adapting products from the TATA brand in India for the UK/ International market.
Ben works with teams globally from India, the US & Canada, and Australia and his role involves project management for products in these markets, while also managing the labs, sensory suite & development kitchen at head office in Greenford. In his spare time, he enjoys making chocolates, eating out & watching rugby.
I have worked in food (Bakery) for about 22 years now, my main stay has always been Technical, Hygiene, Quality & Health & Safety, with a divert to pest control as a Technical Inspector, however preferred being in food so went back as it’s a great area to work in. Every day is different and brings many challenges from problem solving, project implantation and data collection, working in these areas has helped me to craft some solid skills for day to day running of our food safety system but I am still learning.
I have many up’s and down’s with audits, customers and staff but it is still enjoyable, supporting staff and coaching them to the next stages of our business is also rewarding for many reason, we see people grow within their jobs which helps drive down complaints and day to day issues that are picked up it helps me to create ownership with the staff for their jobs and work areas.
