As the MD of DMG Food Safety Solutions, I have a long-term passion for high standards from all food businesses, regardless of their size. I have worked in the food industry since leaving school, including management with a large high street retailer, specializing in fresh produce and also the meat industry until 1984, at which time I began my career in Environmental Health as a Meat Inspector until the new meat hygiene service came into effect from 1996.

I subsequently joined the Environmental Health food team as a full-time Food Safety Officer and Senior Enforcement Office the following year. Through gentle persuasion and hard work, I achieved a number of food safety qualifications, leading to my degree in Environmental Health from Leeds Met in 2005.

For 26 years, my main duties at the Local Authorities Environmental Health Department were to carry out food hygiene inspections, including awarding the Food Standards Agency Food Hygiene Awards. Other duties include food complaint investigations, infectious disease control, food, and water sampling. For 10 years, I was in charge of running the Council’s food hygiene training activities. This was the area that I enjoyed the most.