What was your first ever job?
I worked as a waitress at Lakeside in Surrey, the home of the World Darts - chicken in a basket anyone?
Give us a quick rundown on your career to date
I started working as a TV buyer at McCann Erickson, and then was a media planner buyer at Saatchi and Saatchi. Following this I joined Sainsbury's as a graduate trainee, passed the scheme and was the party foods, desserts, pies and quiche buyer in chilled convenience foods.
What is the best decision you have made in your career?
The best decision I made in my career was moving into new product development from buying. It felt more real as it allowed me to get closer to the product and work closely with the producers.
What was the worst?
Drinking too much the night before a live BBC Breakfast interview (the aim was to calm my nerves). A friend who watched the interview said I looked like I was going to vomit.
Who do you most admire in the grocery industry?
Randolph Hodgson, Neal's Yard Dairy. You would be hard pushed to find someone else who has done more for British cheese.
If you could change one thing in the grocery industry what would it be?
For larger companies to have more empathy when dealing with smaller companies and producers, and understand that it is people's lives they are dealing with rather than a figure on a spreadsheet.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Making a difference to British producers' business. Since I have worked at FFB I have received a lot of heartfelt thank you cards.
What is the least rewarding?
When retailers or foodservice companies do not fulfil promises made to small producers and then dealing with the fall-out.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today?
To small food producers I would say: do your homework, ensure there is a need in the market for your product and ask for help.
What do you like doing when you are not working?
I'm teaching my five-year-old how to cook. I think I will have him fully trained to make my dinner by the age of seven.
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