Group Membership

Membership of IFST has always been on an individual basis and this still remains the case.  However, we recognise that some organisations already fund the membership fees for a number of their employees on an individual basis. Based on this, IFST now offers a set of incentives to encourage organisations – whether companies, academic institutions or even affiliated groups of small businesses – to enrol employees on a group basis.

Chief Executive, Jon Poole, sees this development as an important step forward in engaging with those in the profession and the wider food sector: We hope that by offering group schemes we will open up access to IFST’s membership to a far wider audience whilst at the same time fostering much closer relationships with organisations in the sector.

The scheme operates with two tiers:

  • Silver scheme – For organisations paying for 10+ members.  This will qualify the organisation for a 10% discount on the appropiate rate (£8.10* based on current Associate rate).  We also provide free membership to the companys' most senior technical director. 
  • Gold scheme - For organisations paying for 40+ members.  The package is similar to the silver package but with the option of a 15% discount on the appropiate rate (£12.15* based on our current Associate rate).

Recently joined members include: LGC, Leatherhead Food International and Marks & Spencer.

Organisational Benefits

In addition to the discounts to the above membership subscriptions, we can also offer other flexible benefits, agreed individually, and based on the specific needs of the employer.  These could, for example, include organisational benefits such as:

  • A free advertisement per year in one of our online publications (Food Events Online, Keynote etc)
  • Ten free short event entries in Food Events Online
  • An invitation for key employees to attend the IFST Lecture
  • Fast-tracking the acceptance of Member/Fellow applications
  • The opportunity to hold an event specific to your organisations (and using your premises)
  • Opportunities for speakers from your organisation to be considered for IFST events and seminars
  • A poster-sized certificate highlighting the names of IFST Members and Fellows within the organisation

One simple requirement to qualify for a group scheme is that the employer agrees to collect and/or pay for the members' subscriptions as a single annual payment.

In addition to a standard group scheme arrangement, IFST can also help you to set in place effective Continuing Professional Development (CPD) schemes and provide annual accreditation of your scheme.  This, combined with a group scheme can prove to be a highly effective way of supporting the ongoing development of your technical employees.

How to join

For moew information about our Group Scheme arrangements or to arrange a meeting to discuss your organisation's development needs, including setting up a CPD system, please email Erin Taylor.

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