David Lloyd, Director of the Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University, has been appointed Vice Chairman of the Wales Food and Drink Industry Board.
The board operates as the voice of the food and drink sector in Wales. David Lloyd is one of three new appointments to the board, after Andy Richardson, Head of Corporate Affairs of dairy nutrition business Volac was made Chairman of the board and Justin Scale, Managing Director of Pembrokeshire-based Capestone Organic Poultry Limited, was also made a Vice-Chairman.
Established in 2014, the Wales Food and Drink Industry Board provides direction to the sector, sharing vital information and ensuring sustainability, profitability and food safety throughout the industry.
In his current role as Director of the Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Met, David works closely with both the private sector and Welsh Government, advising on issues affecting the sector.
The Food Industry Centre’s work focuses on linking food academics with the food processing sector to advise on a range of food related subjects including food safety, bacterial contamination, legislation, new product development, nutrition and efficient food factory design, as well as conducting research into food safety culture change.
During his tenure as Director of the Food Industry Centre the unit has delivered over 120 knowledge transfer programmes using food graduates in industry, resulting in an increased turnover of £103,000,000 for local companies, creating over 580 jobs and launching over 859 new products to the major UK retailers.
Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government’s Farming and Food Deputy Minister announced the appointments and said: “The food and drink industry is one of our largest business sectors, employing over 170,000 people”.
“Supporting the industry to develop and move in positive new directions is a key priority for the Welsh Government, with the aim of growing sales in the sector by 30 per cent to £7 billion by the year 2020.”
David Lloyd said of his appointment: “I am delighted to be appointed Vice Chair of a Food and Drink board whose remit is to guide the food sector towards 30% growth by 2020. I look forward to working with industry leaders to support the sector and help direct future Welsh Government strategy”.
