The two candidates for our next Honorary Secretary are set out below. The elected candidate will serve from our AGM 2026.
Each candidate has provided a supporting statement and biography to help you make your decision.
Members and Fellows eligble to vote will receive instructions by email on 9 January 2026. The ballot closes at 16:00 on 19 February 2026.
You can cast your vote by clicking here.
Biography
Gerry O’Brien is a retired Food Science lecturer who grew up in Johnstone, Renfrewshire. His earliest involvement with the food business was as a part-time shelf-stacker at ‘Presto’ supermarket during his final year at school. He studied Food Science at Strathclyde University, graduating in 1987, and went on to a PhD at Nottingham University. He then spent most of the 1990s in Colombia, South America, firstly as a post-doc researcher working on Cassava (a tropical root crop), and latterly as a university lecturer. He met his wife, Maria, whilst there. In 1999, he joined Ulster University, and taught Food Science there for 13 years. In 2002, Gerry joined the IFST, and served for several years as Secretary of the Northern Ireland Branch. In 2013, he and Maria left for Singapore, where Gerry was a member of the Newcastle University Singapore Food & Nutrition Team for five years. In 2018, he and Maria returned to the UK. Gerry continued with Newcastle University as a Food Science lecturer. When IFST North of England Branch re-formed in April 2023, Gerry volunteered as Branch Secretary, and still continues in that role. Now retired, he occasionally helps out as a Visiting Lecturer at Newcastle University.
Statement
I am a recently-retired Food Science lecturer with 36 years’ professional experience at home and abroad, and have been a professional member of IFST for over 23 years. Throughout my career I have constantly tried to foster strong collaborative links with the local food industry through student placements, technology transfer and collaborative research. It has been a privilege to help prepare and train some of the finest young minds for a variety of careers in Food and Nutrition, and to collaborate with a broad range of food professionals during that time. Being a member of IFST has been vitally important for me throughout most of my career, helping me maintain a ‘grounding’ link between the academic textbooks and the realities of the Food System. Being an IFST Branch Secretary in Northern Ireland and Northern England has taught me an appreciation of the many gifts and talents that our branch members possess. The UK Food Industry receives more than its fair share of criticism, but people are sometimes given a healthy reminder of just how much they depend on it, as we saw not long ago during the Covid-19 crisis. Similarly, it has seemed to me, during years of toil at branch level, that the IFST has not always been properly appreciated, but it seems that this too may be changing. The recent granting of a Royal Charter is evidence that people do appreciate the way our 60-year-old organisation continues to serve society as a respected voice and support-body that is committed to improving and strengthening the Food System. Having now retired from full-time work, I can dedicate time to things I care about, and feel that this may be an opportune moment for me to use my experience to serve the IFST at national level, as Honorary Secretary.
Biography
I am a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology with over 20 years’ experience across academia, industry, and government, specialising in food innovation and translational science. I currently work at the University of Nottingham (2019-present), where in my role coordinating Academic and Industry Partnerships, I lead the development of a regional food innovation ecosystem and Chair the University’s Food & Drink Industry Advisory Board, collaborating across more than 50 partners.
Earlier in my career, I held senior scientific roles at Fonterra in New Zealand, contributing to large-scale public–private R&D programmes and successful product innovation within a global food system. My background also includes academic research roles at several UK universities and Massey University in New Zealand, resulting in award-winning innovations, patents, and peer-reviewed publications.
Statement
I am standing for the role of Honorary Secretary because I care deeply about the future of the food science profession and the role IFST plays in supporting it. As a Fellow of the Institute, I value IFST’s commitment to scientific integrity, professional standards, and public benefit.
Over the past 2 years, my career has spanned academia, industry, and government, giving me a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing our sector. I currently lead the development of a regional food innovation ecosystem, working with researchers, businesses, policymakers, and third-sector partners to translate science into impact. This includes chairing advisory boards, supporting effective governance, preparing, and scrutinising board-level documentation, and ensuring that decisions and actions are clearly recorded and followed through.
Previously, I worked at Fonterra in New Zealand, where I helped deliver major public–private R&D programmes and product innovation within a highly regulated, globally connected food system. These experiences have given me a strong appreciation of stewardship, accountability, and the importance of robust governance in maintaining trust and credibility.
If elected, I would bring a collaborative and thoughtful approach to the Board of Trustees, supporting effective administration, clear communication, and sound decision-making. I am committed to safeguarding IFST’s reputation, supporting its charitable objectives, and ensuring it continues to serve members, the profession, and the wider public with integrity and impact.