Alan Lacey takes over as new chair at food hygiene industry body

Alan Lacey, Operations ComplianceManager, Asda has been appointed as the new Chair of The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology (SOFHT) following the end of a two year tenure by Catherine Watkinson, Group Technical Director of Stonegate.

Alan Lacey, Chair of The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology

Formerly Head of Regulatory Affairs at Sainsbury’s, Alan is well respected in the food industry for his technical expertise and breadth of knowledge particularly regarding food law and consumer relations.

Alan, who has been an active member of SOFHT for 19 years and served as its Vice Chair for the last two years said:

“I am proud to take over as Chairman of the Society in its 35th anniversary year. The food industry has changed a great deal in those 35 years; products and innovations that we take for granted today could not have been imagined in 1979. Neither could some of the hazards and crises we’ve encountered along the way.

“The Society has succeeded in changing and developing to meet the needs and expectations of its members and I’m determined that we will continue on that path. The food industry is hugely important to the UK – we export 20% of the food we produce – and we will continue to support our members with technical and legal advice so that they can optimise their businesses and deal with problems that are bound to arise as markets get more demanding and the industry becomes more complex.

“I’m pleased too that SOFHT is now recognised as a credible voice for the entire industry when contributing to regulatory consultations and I plan for this to continue.”

SOFHT has also made other changes: Catherine Watkinson from Stonegate and pest control expert Phil Shaw from PLS Environmental have been re-elected to the Board while Heather McLucas, Head of Regulatory Affairs UK and ROI at Müller has become a Director.