Appetite for Engineering 2012

12 June 2012, Hinckley Island Hotel, Leicestershire

DRIVING THE UK'S MOST SUCCESSFUL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

JIM MOSELEY, Managing Director, General Mills

Jim Moseley, who is also president of the Food & Drink Federation, is Appetite’s headline speaker. He started his career with FMC Meat, then joined Ovaltine manufacturer Wander Foods, where he headed the UK launch of sports drink Isostar. He was hired by Tulip International as sales and marketing director, and spent 12 years with the group before moving to General Mills UK (formerly Pillsbury) in 1999 as MD. In January 2011 he succeeded Ross Warburton as Food & Drink Federation president.

JOHN QUINN, Food Technologist, Marks & Spencer

John Quinn works in the Meal Solutions category as part of the buying team for traditional, gastro pub and bistro. He carries out the role of a food technologist, and his principal responsibilities are maintaining the quality and safety of the products produced in the supply base for M&S. John says that overall manufacturing standards have improved since he began work 15 years ago. "You only have to look at the various products across the retailers to see genuine innovation."

ALAN YATES, Managing Director, Endoline Machinery

Before joining Endoline, Alan had an established career within the printing industry spanning over 25 years. With a proven track record of managing companies from Baltimore to South Wales, Alan left the printing world in 1990 to become Operations Director of the family business, Endoline Machinery - which was founded by Alan's father Ron in 1981. Alan took over as MD in 1997 and today Endoline employs almost 50 members of staff, including Alan's three sons.

GRAHAM THOMAS, Engineering Manager, Greencore Cakes & Desserts

Graham, who started out as an electro-mechanical design draftsman for a switchboard manufacturer before joining the food industry, spoke about his experiences of introducing automation at The National Centre for Food Manufacturing (Holbeach), and at Appetite for Engineering will address a similar theme, talking about the challenges faced by an engineering manager of a large food factory. Graham will also address health and safety issues that play an ever-more important part of his job.

JOHN MORTEN, Chief Operations Manager, Burtons Biscuit Company

John has had a long career in food and beverage, having been a senior manager at Thorntons between 1983-1997. He then moved to United Biscuits where he was a regional project manager and chief engineer before working for Uniq Prepared Foods as chief engineer between 2005 and 2007. Since then he has been the group project manager over four sites at Burton’s Biscuit Company, where his role entails direction & management of the company’s capital investment programme.

CLAIRE HALL, Founder, drink it / Percy's

Claire's efforts led to her being a finalist for 'High Street Brands' in 2010 with Jo Malone; finalist for 'tycoon,' 2007 with Peter Jones; and finalist for most 'innovative product,' in 2007. Her idea to combine vodka and fruit tea came while she was working in London in 2004. Later, she built a recipe for alcoholic iced teas, and embarked on research and development. Claire decided to name her blend of fruity tea and Icelandic vodka, Percy's, and received a grant to help automate the production process.

SIOBHAN JORDAN, Director, Interface

Siobhán has been Interface director since its inception in August 2005. She is experienced in business and academia, having supported over 1,200 companies across all sectors make links to academic departments. She holds degrees in Biotechnology and process engineering and a PhD in human genetics. Previous roles have included team leader at the MRC Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh and managing the application and award processes for the Scottish Proof of Concept Programme.

ASHLEY BAKER, Head of Operations, Macphie of Glenbervie

Ashley is a graduate in Biochemistry from Glasgow University and has worked previously in Research and Development and Project Management roles, in the UK, Europe and US for multinational and UK based companies. He has R&D experience in the household products, personal/ beauty care and food and drink sectors. His project management experience includes integration of acquisitions and process development, capital investment projects across a number of product manufacturing sectors.