CFA is pleased to introduce our current Board, reflecting the breadth of expertise across chilled food manufacturing and fresh produce
Leading the Board is our new Chair, Tariq Shaikh, Technical Director at PDM Produce (UK) Ltd. Tariq points to several complex challenges the industry has faced in recent years – from microbiological issues in primary production and the development of new test methods to updated Listeria regulations.
“This is where the CFA value ranking is number one,” he says. “Through early collaboration and assembling the right stakeholders, the CFA works through interpretation and provides the competence and clarity that is needed.”
For Tariq, the benefits of membership are wide-ranging. He highlights the development of and access to industry-led guidance, technical innovation, STEM teaching resources, and the contribution to and benchmarking of the association’s Listeria and Generic E. coli database, which he says “provides stronger assurance, regulatory confidence and customer trust. Having the opportunity to be a part of this at Board level and to continue to develop the association is a real privilege.”
Our second new Director, Nicola Benniston, Executive Technical Director at Oscar Mayer, added: “I wanted to join to be able to give something back to the CFA as it had supported me in several of my previous roles with help and advice. It means that we can continue to support the wider chilled food industry but keeping the association going.”
She also highlights CFA Director General Karin as a great font of knowledge with extensive experience in dealing with government bodies and lobbying for change.
In addition to Tariq, Nicola and Karin Goodburn, the other board members are:
• Sue Bell, The Compleat Food Group
• Howard Cort, Greencore
• Dr Gary McMahon, Pilgrim’s Food Europe
• Helen Peasnall, G’s Fresh
• Kate Stein, 2 Sisters Food Group (2SFG)
Together, Board members bring deep operational, technical and commercial experience from across the sector, guiding CFA’s work on food safety, skills, sustainability and trade.