Click on each mentor to find out more about them
I have worked in the Food Industry for over 25 years. I have a BSc in Food and Nutrition and started my first job as a catering services co-ordinator in the NHS implementing cook freeze to an NHS Trust. I have had a variety of jobs in the industry from working as an internal auditor to working for a consultancy firm reviewing pack copies and artworks and answering any technical questions. I have worked in retail for both Asda and Coop. My current role at the Coop as a Lead legal labelling and regulatory advisor, where I look after a small team of labelling assistants, capacity plan for the team, run consultant resource when required, help with producing pack copies and review artworks amongst many other responsibilities
As the current Nutrition Manager & Data Analyst at Premier Foods, Beth supports in the delivery of corporate nutrition and health related KPIs, aligned with business sustainability goals. Beth’s focus is to develop nutrition targets for our diverse product ranges, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to integrate nutrition targets into the product development process. Beth also has a strong focus on nutrition data management & reporting, ensuring products are assessed in line with both strategic business priorities and government targets.
Prior to working as a Nutritionist, Beth had a role in R&D Nutrition & Applications within Premier Foods, focussed on developing innovative products with a focus on nutrition, in particular contributing to the development of the first non-HFSS cakes in market. Beth also held the role of NPD Technologist at Fox’s Biscuits, supporting in process of turning conceptual ideas into tangible products that met the evolving preferences of consumers.
Beth is a graduate of the University of Leeds, where she earned a First-Class Honours degree in Food Science and Nutrition and also holds a master’s degree from University College London, specialising in Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition. Beth is currently a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr) with the Association for Nutrition and an active member of Nutritionists in Industry (NII).
Chathumi Maduwage is a Research Scientist in Analytical Development at Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies. Her academic journey commenced at Uva Wellassa University in Sri Lanka, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Food Processing Technology. Driven by her passion for scientific exploration, she pursued further studies at Teesside University in the UK, obtaining a Master's degree in Food Science and Biotechnology. Following her academic pursuits, Chathumi gained valuable research experience as a Researcher at the School of Health & Life Sciences at Teesside University.
Claire, Product Development Manager at Quorn, is a Product Development specialist and passionate food-lover, with 15 years of experience in the food industry leading innovation projects from conception to implementation. She worked for Mars Petcare in European and Global roles developing treats for dogs and cats for brands such as Pedigree®, Dreamies™ and Temptations™. Now at Quorn Foods she is responsible for translating consumer wants and needs into measurable attributes and unpicking significant technical complexity in order to deliver meat-free food products that delight and nourish consumers.
Claire is excited by the magic of mycelium and the potential impact we can all have on the planet by switching to eating this sustainable, nutritious and versatile protein source. She is an empathetic, hands-on leader and thrives on activity that demands resourcefulness, collaboration and the realisation of ideas that are ‘beyond imagination’.
I've spent over 20 years working in the food and drugs sector. Predominantly in food with a mixed bag of experience ranging from manufacturing technical and food safety roles, laboratory specialist support roles and also technical and regulatory management in retail. I've been lucky enough to travel the world with my career and be able to help make food a safer and better quality experience for consumers. I have worked as a senior consultant specialising in incident management, recall and crisis (proactive and reactive) training and support for over two years. In this time I've worked with government agencies, barristers, major blue chip groups and NGOs to name a few. It's great to be able to go to work and make a difference and have no two days be the same!
Since starting as a technician in a food laboratory back in 1984, Ivan has held several roles in the food sector, both in public service and in industry. He has worked in food analysis in Malta, in wastewater treatment in Libya, in seafood research in Denmark, and in food production in the UK.
Ivan has served with the Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish) for the last 21 years. His first role was to improve catch quality at sea. He also carried out audits of processing establishments, cold stores and fish and chip outlets. More recently he worked in the seafood regulation team as a Regulatory Affairs Advisor, where he deals in with regulatory issues relating to seafood trade and seafood safety.
Ivan is actively involved in several organisations, including the Importers Forum (run jointly with the British Frozen Foods Federation), the Seafood Importers and Processors Alliance (based in Belgium) and the International Association of Fish Inspectors. He held the post of Chair of the IFST Scientific Committee from 2011 to 2013, and he continues to serve as a member.
Ivan Bartolo holds degrees in Pharmaceutical Technology, Food Technology (Food Quality Control) and Applied Toxicology.
Jasmine has been working in food industry since graduating from the University of Nottingham in 2017 with a Food Science degree including a 12-month industrial placement.
Jasmine has held multiple roles across the technical function within the chicken, fish, biscuits and dairy industries. These include Regional Auditor across UK and EU, Project Quality Assurance Advisor, Quality Manager and Graduate Management Trainee.
Her current role is Quality Assurance Manager at the First Milk Lake District Creamery, which process and dispatches cheese, whey powder and whey cream for UK, EU and worldwide customers.
Within her role she manages the site HACCP plans, positive release of finished product, incident review and closure along with managing site quality assurance technicians and hygiene operatives. Other aspects of her role include issuing out certificates of analysis for finished products, organising the exportation of samples for customer review and laboratory testing, as well as completing or supporting both internal and external audits.
I’m a Food Microbiologist with 25 years’ experience working in manufacturing, retail and consultancy. After studying Microbiology at Surrey University, I joined the Product Safety team at Sainsburys. I moved on to the Dairy sector and worked for Arla Foods and the Specialist Cheesemaker’s Association. I then ran my own consultancy business for 12 years, where I provided Food Micro support to Food Businesses, environmental health officers, laboratories and even Insurance underwriters. I joined M&S in September 2023 as Company Microbiologist. This exciting and challenging role includes supporting our Food Technologists and Suppliers, managing the M&S food testing plan and laboratories, working with Industry, the Foods Standards Agency and the BRC, and driving new initiatives in food safety. I have a passion for training and developed various Food Micro training courses and webinars; something I have continued to do at M&S to upskill the Food Technology team and our Suppliers. Microbiology is such an interesting area to work in; as foodborne pathogens evolve we have to learn how to control them! How we monitor and test for micro-organisms is also changing, so to do my job effectively I have to keep learning and adapting what we do at M&S to keep up with the microbes!
I’m a product technologist with 10 years’ experience in the food retail industry. Having graduated from Reading University with a degree in Nutrition and Food Science, I started my career at Sainsbury’s as a technical assistant, learning the foundations, skills & behaviours required to become a technologist. After 8 varied years at Sainsbury’s, working my way through different product categories, I joined the M&S team as a Senior Technologist.
In my current role I’m responsible for the safety, quality, and integrity of our delicious M&S products. Working closely with our supplier partners, I follow our exciting new products from concept to launch and work to continuously drive the quality agenda forwards. The role is hugely varied, and I love that no two days are the same!
Stephen is responsible for leading IFST policy development and engagement on scientific and technical issues, and policy relevant to IFST mission in education, skills and professional recognition. In addition, he supports the External Affairs Advisory Committee and Consultations Group. In this role, Stephen engages with key government departments from the UK nations, key opinion leader academics, and food sector industry leaders to support the IFST mission.
Since graduating from University of Sheffield with a BSc. (Hons) in Physiology and a Ph.D. in Gastrointestinal Physiology and Nutrition, Stephen had an academic career in research and teaching prior to joining Mars Inc. During his time with Mars Inc., Stephen worked in a variety of research and Scientific and Regulatory Affairs roles for the organisation in European and Global roles, and in Confectionery, Food, and Petfood sectors of the business.
Dr Tim Finnigan has been at the heart of the science and technology agenda for Quorn Foods and was until recently responsible for the research collaborations that underpin the agenda for sustainable nutrition. With over 30 years at Quorn, Tim has designed many of the products, processes and IP held by the business as well as advancing an ever deeper scientific understanding of mycoprotein and its contemporary role in assuring a sustainable food future. Tim is now the owner of New Era Foods supporting the science of sustainable food and was recently appointed visiting professor of sustainable nutrition at the University of Northumbria.
Tim is also a keen exercise enthusiast committed to the possibilities of healthy ageing.
