Vanessa Richardson - Deputy Director General, UK Potato Processors' Association
How did you start your career in the food industry and what motivated you to join?
I have always had a real interest in food. From an early age, I loved eating, cooking and baking, but as I moved into my teenage years, that interest developed into a curiosity about nutrition and the role that food plays in our health and wellbeing.
That led me to study human nutrition at university in my native Brazil. While I was there, I came to the UK for a month and that experience completely changed the direction of my career. I realised that I wanted to stay in the UK and broaden my understanding of food beyond nutrition, so I made the decision to study food science.
That move opened up a whole new side of the food industry to me and ultimately set me on the path to regulatory affairs.
How did you decide on Regulatory Affairs (RA)?
I am yet to meet many people who deliberately set out to build a career in regulatory affairs, which I think is a real shame. Personally, and from talking to many regulatory colleagues, food law did not always receive much emphasis within food-related degree courses, so for many of us, regulatory affairs was something we discovered once we were already working in the industry. I hope that has changed in recent years.
After university, I worked for a couple of food companies in technical roles, which gave me good practical experience of the industry. I then came across an advert for a Regulatory Affairs Adviser at Leatherhead Food Research. They were looking for someone with a good understanding of food production and strong language skills (ideally with foreign languages), and I remember thinking that it ticked a few boxes and sounded like a really interesting opportunity for me.
I applied for the role and that was my introduction to regulatory affairs. At the time, I probably did not appreciate quite how varied and interesting the field would turn out to be, or that it would ultimately become my career for the last 20 years. I liked the job so much that I decided to specialise in regulatory affairs and did a Masters’ Degree with the University of Ulster then.
Would you choose to go into the same field again?
Absolutely. My career has taken me from consultancy into industry roles across coffee, dairy, drinks, then into trade association work with retailers and now the agricultural sector. That variety has given me the opportunity to work with experts, engage with government in the UK and internationally, travel, speak at conferences and continually learn about new products, sectors and regulations.
I have also made many good friends along the way. The regulatory world can feel surprisingly small, and you often find yourself working with the same people again in completely different roles. That sense of community, together with the constant opportunity to learn, is one of the things I value most about the profession.
Looking back, I feel very fortunate that I happened to come across that first regulatory role, because it led me into a career I have genuinely loved.
What is the main purpose of regulatory affairs to you?
At its core, and in the context of the food industry, regulatory affairs is about ensuring that food and drink products comply with the relevant requirements on safety, composition, labelling, marketing and trade.
But one of the things I came to understand with time is that regulatory affairs is about much more than just reading and interpreting regulations. To understand regulation properly, you also need to understand the wider context in which it develops -the political and cultural environment, changing consumer expectations, the issues that are driving policymakers, the position of industry and how the rules are interpreted and enforced in practice.
All of those elements can influence how a regulatory professional approaches an issue and advises a business. And for me, this is what makes regulatory affairs so fascinating. The interplay of science, law, policy, business and society, always offers something new to learn.
Why did you join IFST and how did you get involved in the Food Regulatory Special Interest Group (SIG)?
I joined IFST because I wanted to be part of something bigger than my own day-to-day role and to connect with other professionals who share an interest in food science and regulation. I was particularly attracted to the idea of having a forum where regulatory developments could be discussed and debated from a professional perspective, rather than always through the lens of a particular business or organisation.
I also see it as a way of giving something back. I have benefited hugely throughout my career from the knowledge and generosity of other regulatory professionals, so being able to contribute in return is very important to me. If, through the work of the SIG, we can also make regulatory affairs more visible and help inspire the next generation of food professionals to consider it as a career, then that is something I find particularly rewarding.
What do you think the big challenges are for industry in the next few years?
I think the biggest challenges will be geopolitical uncertainty, the drive towards healthier and more sustainable diets, and the rapid development of AI.
Geopolitical events can quickly affect supply chains, trade, ingredient availability and costs, so regulatory professionals increasingly need to understand the wider international policy context as well as the legislation itself. Realigning with EU law will keep us all busy.
Then there is healthier and more sustainable diets, and the challenges of balancing nutritional, environmental, economic and consumer considerations. The challenge will be developing regulation that is evidence-based, proportionate and workable.
AI then brings huge opportunities to work more efficiently and process information more quickly, but it also raises questions around accuracy, accountability and reliance on technology. Regulatory professionals will need to embrace these tools while continuing to apply judgement and critical thinking.
How do you think regulatory affairs will change in the next 10 years?
I think regulatory affairs will become even more strategic over the next 10 years. Regulatory professionals will still need strong technical knowledge, but they will increasingly need to understand the wider political, social, technological and environmental context in which regulation develops.
AI will transform many aspects of regulatory work, from monitoring legislation and researching requirements to analysing large volumes of information, hopefully allowing professionals to spend more time on interpretation, judgement and strategic advice. But I don’t think AI will replace the need for regulatory expertise. If anything, I think the ability to question information, understand context and recognise when something does not quite add up will become even more important.