As Jane Emery retires as Deputy Chief Executive of IFST after 35 years of outstanding service to the Institute and its members, she looks back at some of the changes she has seen during her time with IFST.
I joined IFST in December 1981 as Membership Administrator, while the office was based at Euston. Besides me, there were 2 other staff members: Gay Wild, the Executive Secretary and an office junior. I replaced someone who left a vast backlog of papers. I inherited a shared phone, a manual typewriter and a lifetime supply of carbon paper. (Google it, if you don’t know what this is.)
There was a severe global recession and rampant inflation. Membership subscriptions had increased by 25% in the year I joined (and by 50% the year before) so not surprisingly membership numbers were declining and finances were tight.
The mid-1980s saw a succession of visionary Presidents and with a swiftly improving economy, this led to a seismic shift within IFST (a corporate image, a recruitment campaign, a survey of members’ technical interests, our first computers). In 1986, Food Science & Technology (originally known as Food Science & Technology Today) magazine began publication, swiftly followed by the first edition of Food & Drink - Good Manufacturing Practice: A Guide to its Responsible Management, now in its 6th edition. Membership increased phenomenally from around 2,300 to 3,600. The decade culminated in the purchase of freehold premises in Cambridge Court in 1989.
At this time the entirely new concept of ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD) first appeared.
In the mid-90s, we were requested by the Department of Health to become one of the assessing bodies for a new Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspection for enforcement officers. This proved to be very successful and attracted a whole new audience to IFST. It was also the first qualification offered by IFST that was based on experiential learning rather than formal examinations.
Enthusiasm for the concept of CPD started to grow within IFST and it was one of the first professional bodies in the science sector to develop a CPD scheme. A free CD Rom containing guidance and templates for recording CPD activities was issued free to all members.
In 2002, IFST was approached by Marks & Spencer to accredit the Continuing Professional Development of its food technologists. This scheme gradually developed into its present form, where M&S has incorporated IFST membership and Science Council registers into its food technical employees’ development scheme.
IFST was one of the member bodies on the Science Council which led the way in developing a new chartered qualification for scientists, which included an active commitment to CPD as a core requirement. Launched in 2004, IFST was the 2nd organisation to obtain a licence to award Chartered Scientist (CSci). CSci is now wellestablished with over 200 members holding this qualification. More recently, IFST was also one of the organisations that piloted Registered Scientist and Registered Science Technician.
In 2006, I was extremely honoured to be elected a Fellow of IFST.'
In 2007, IFST launched the Register of Professional Food Auditors & Mentors, which is linked to the SALSA scheme. Also that year, the Institute achieved full charitable status. In 2012, IFST launched ‘Love Food Love Science’, a campaign to inspire school students to study science. This included a series of funky experiment cards suitable for home kitchens, which have since reached thousands of students.
Our 50th Jubilee Year saw the launch of the Register of Food Safety Professionals, the Register of Professional Sensory Scientists, a Degree Accreditation scheme and the FoodStart website.
Now in its 4th year, the Ecotrophelia UK new product development competition for teams of university students attracted 19 entries, a record number.
The number of permanent employees at IFST is currently 9. Although IFST has grown from a volunteer managed organisation with administrative help, to an executive managed organisation governed by a board of trustees providing strategic direction, I still think it has retained volunteers at its core.
I am sure that I will see many of you again, as I plan to come along occasionally to IFST events, as a member.
It has been an absolute pleasure working for IFST and thank you all for your support and kindness. The Institute has come a long way since 1981 and its very many achievements could not have happened without the efforts, talents and wisdom of its volunteers.
