Sterling Crew reflects on his first year as IFST President, having taken up the post in April 2023 following his successful election campaign in 2022.
I have just completed my first year as President of the Institute of Food Science and Technology and Chair of our Board of Trustees. It was a great privilege to have been elected to this post by our membership in 2023. I consider it essential to our governance that the membership elects an individual to undertake this significant role.
Reflecting on my initial commitment "to add value to membership and enhance our offerings," along with the aim to "raise the profile of our Institute and membership," and to be a "listening President," I remain steadfast in these objectives. I am dedicated to placing our membership at the forefront of our organisation's decision-making process.
The food sector has faced several challenges in the past 12 months, with more ahead of us. However, I am confident that the food science and technology community will provide the necessary support for a brighter future. We maintain our position as the UK's leading professional body for individuals involved in all facets of food science and technology. As an internationally respected independent membership body, we support food professionals through knowledge sharing and professional development.
This is an exciting time to be a member as we celebrate our 60th Jubilee year. Numerous fantastic events have already taken place in our Jubilee year including the Binsted Lecture, the IFST Food Innovation Forum, and the IFE Manufacturing Ingredients Awards. There are many more events on the horizon this year, and we encourage you to keep checking our website, membership emails, and social media for details of these events.
I would like to extend warm thanks to all those who have assisted and supported me over the past year; your support has been greatly appreciated. I have endeavoured and will continue to endeavour to be a "listening president" to the best of my ability and have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with many of you in different contexts over the last year.
My special appreciation goes to our Board of Trustees and the IFST Executive Team, as well as to all volunteer members who contribute to our Committees, Special Interest Groups, and our eight regional branches; your dedication drives much of what we offer. Our members have collaborated to bring us dozens of online and in-person events over the last year, and to produce cutting-edge scientific resources such as the Food Innovation Toolkit, which I was delighted to see launched in September 2023.
If you're not already involved, I encourage you to participate. There is truly a role for everyone in the IFST ecosystem, from serving on one of our Branches, Committees, or Special Interest Groups, to posting about us on social media, and much more! Our 60th Jubilee presents the perfect opportunity to get involved in the wide array of opportunities available to IFST members.
Your suggestions and comments would be most welcome – please do not hesitate to contact me by clicking here.