Click on each mentor to find out more about them
Senior Technical Manager for Labelling at Co-op, leading a team dedicated to ensuring own-brand product labels are legally compliant and aligned with our policies. We support informed consumer choices through expert review of specifications, artwork, and marketing communications, while providing support and guidance and to internal teams and suppliers.
Alastair is part of Co-op Food's Sustainability team where he covers responsible sourcing approaches and leads on Co-op's deforestation and conversion-free commitments. This includes work on soy, palm oil and cocoa supply chains, cross-industry collaboration and partnership programmes with Chester Zoo and Solidaridad to restore forests and nature, and support those producing the ingredients in our products.
Alastair has also worked in Co-op's Sustainability Reporting Team and Sustainability Consultancy.
With a background in Biomedical Sciences and statistics, I made the decision to explore a new industry. Through three diverse placements at Pilgrim’s Europe - fresh chicken, pork, and governance - I’ve discovered how dynamic and rewarding a career in food can be. Now working as a Technical Leadership Trainee, I’m continuously learning and growing in an environment where no two days are the same
I am a Registered Nutritionist with over 15 years’ experience of working in the food industry. As Co-op’s Senior Nutrition Manager, I’m committed to making healthier, more sustainable choices easier, and communicating evidence-based messages about healthy sustainable diets to the public.
Deb is the Global Hygiene Specialist at Vikan, providing bespoke food safety and hygiene advice, training, and support to colleagues and customers internationally. Vikan are a Danish manufacturer of cleaning tools to for the food industry.
Debs’ food safety/hygiene career spans five decades. Prior to Vikan she was employed as a poultry plant microbiologist; a scientist within the UK Governments Food Safety Division (researching the after-effects of the Chernobyl disaster on public radiation dose due to the consumption of contaminated food); and as Food Hygiene Research Manager at Campden BRI.
Deb holds degrees in both Applied Microbiology, and Nutrition & Food Science; and is a qualified FSSC 22000 Lead Auditor.
She has always been a passionate about food safety/hygiene and regularly presents at international food safety events. She has also authored numerous food safety/hygiene publications, including peer reviewed papers, trade articles, book chapters, food industry guidelines, and on-line articles.
Additionally, Deb is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology and sits on their Scientific Committee; is an Advisory Committee member for the European Hygienic Engineering Design Group; is a Director of the Society for Food Hygiene & Technology; has helped develop Benchmark requirements for GFSI; and is former Chair of the CBRI Microbiology Member Interest Group. In 2023 she was the recipient of the IAFP Sanitarian award.
At home in England Deb lives in a small village on the east coast of Suffolk and enjoys rugby, gardening and real ale.
Emmanuel is a chef by trade and worked in Michelin stars Restaurant and Hotel in Paris and London from late 80’s till early 2000’s.
He moved into a development chef position with Northern Food, creating sandwiches, sushi and pizza recipes for M&S. He worked on quiches and ready meals for majors multiples and recipes dishes for M&S.
He joined a venture in food targeting healthy/innovative snacking option working with production partner across the UK to deliver the vision. And expanding further into Europe. He then moved into bakery and dessert with concept to launch responsibility. Worked on savoury Pizza with again concept to launch responsibility.
He now works for the leading manufacturer of Mince pie and bakery goods within the UK leading a team of 14 people from development managers to kitchen assistant.
He has gained multiple awards across the various product portfolio.
I am currently the Co-op Technical Relations Manager within Pilgrims Europe. I have over 25 years’ experience working in the food industry.
As part of Pilgrims customer facing team, I am committed to facilitating the technical relationship with Co-op as a key strategic customer and ourselves as the supplier
Hannah is the Technical Training Lead at Pilgrim’s Europe, responsible for leading the Technical Leadership and Development Pathways, to develop and train technical team members to be their best. She works closely with training teams across Pilgrim’s Europe manufacturing sites, to create and deliver a bespoke training provision for all team members. Hannah graduated with BSc (Hons) Food Technology from CAFRE in 2014 and has previous experience in a number of food safety and quality roles in the food manufacturing environment. She is passionate about technical career pathways, supporting and mentoring team members through their career in Pilgrim’s Europe.
The food industry is one of the most exciting places to build a career — and Nicola Leitch has made it her mission to help the next generation seize that opportunity.
Nic as she is known, is the Career Pathway Business Partner at Pilgrim’s Europe with over 12 years’ experience in the fresh food sector. She began her career in retail, leading high performing fresh food teams, before moving into manufacturing — where she now designs graduate and placement offerings for young professionals hungry to get ahead and build a rewarding career in food.
This year, her work was recognised with Best Graduate Programme at the Workplace Employment Awards and Best Training Initiative at the Food Management Awards.
For Nic, careers are not ladders but journeys — fuelled by saying “yes” when a new opportunity knocks, embracing change, and making bold moves that open new pathways. She believes that with grit and determination, you can achieve anything — and she’s certain the dynamic, ever evolving food industry is the best place to prove it. So, she asks you directly: when that next new opportunity comes, will you recognise it, seize it, and say yes.
Nicole Tallant is the Director of Co-op Brand & Technical – her remit covers - Brand Strategy, Quality, Product Development & Technical. Nicole's passion for Co-op Brand and her belief in the difference we can make to the food industry, through working closely with our supply partners, is what motivates her. Her primary goal is to lead her team in making the Co-op Brand the No.1 Brand in the market by optimising Co-op Brand sales across all our business channels.
Currently Director of Technical Relations and part of the Technical and R&D senior leadership team setting strategy to drive the Technical agenda forward
A BSc Food Technology graduate with 25 years experience working in the food industry with experience across the functions of operations, site technical management, category management, new product development and supply chain. In the last 12 years specialising in customer technical management & partnership.
With a real passion for developing our future leaders, I am a mentor to others and a senior sponsor for our Technical Leadership Pathway.
In 2022 I graduated from NTU with a BSc in Food Science and Technology with previous training in artisan bakery from The School of Artisan Food. Since graduating I have been working at Fosters Bakery in NPD/RND, a family-owned bakery that started in 1952. In my role I work with a wide range of customers within the food service industry to develop bread and confectionery products that fit the needs of a brief presented to Fosters Bakery.
As part of a small technical team, we follow all products from inception to launch. Dealing with product costing, factory trials, technical support after launch, crisis management and traceability.
- Worked in the Food Industry for over 25 years.
- Co-op Commercial Director for Pilgrim’s Europe who supply Pork, Chicken & Meals as well as Brands such as Fridge Raiders & Richmond Sausages!
- A forward-thinking leader motivated by making a difference to individuals, teams, businesses & the customer!
- Studied Food Marketing at SHU many moons ago!
- Passionate about collaboration & The Co-op agenda of Owned by you! Right by you!
