Clare has been recognised for her help with our Food Safety ‘trusted resources’.
How does it feel to be recognised as Member of the Month?
It’s great to be recognised by such a prestigious organisation and for contributing to what will be a fantastic Food Safety knowledge centre when it’s complete.
Why is it important to be a member of a body like the IFST?
My personal view is that the more we collaborate across all stakeholders – manufacturing, retailers, regulators, etc - the more progress we will make towards safer food. The IFST provides a great network and forum to enable this. The IFST is also committed to attract new talent in to careers in food science and technology – this is critical to our industry and I am keen to support such a mission via membership of the Institute.
Tell us a little about your current role?
I am Director of Food Safety & Quality Systems at McCormick for our Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. We are the world leader in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of spices, seasonings, flavourings and other food products to all segments of the food industry - retail, food service and food processors. We are the largest spice manufacturer in the world with $4.2B in sales and 47 plants and laboratories in 20 countries.
I have a fantastic team of Food Safety and Quality Professionals who support and provide central governance to our entire region. We group our activity under three main pillars; (1) Predict, Prevent and Protect, (2) Control and Command and (3) React, Learn and Improve. Safe food, starts with Safe ingredients – that’s what my team deliver.
Why is it important for your team to join a register like this?
I have encouraged my team to support and sign up to this particular register for their own Continuous Professional Development. Additionally, The IFST’s food safety register is 100% aligned to our own internal McCormick Technical Career Ladder so it fosters both internal and external recognition.
Tell us something about yourself that not many people know?
When I am not working I am looking after my two beautiful children. My son came home from school recently and said that they had been talking about parents who work and what they do for their job. Apparently I have achieved a new heightened status amongst the 7 year olds in class 2AM at Kings Langley primary school, because, and I quote, “Zach’s mummy makes tomato ketchup”. Sorry to all those mummy’s and daddy’s who are nurses, firemen, doctors…..I feel very undeserving , but tomato ketchup is just so important to 7 year olds!!!
