Food technical manager Richard Wigley has gained a Registered Scientist Award (RSci) from the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST).

Richard heads up the technical team at The Food and Drink Forum, which provides business support services to food and drink firms across the East Midlands and beyond.

The RSci is a new award based on a combination of knowledge, competence and a commitment to high standards of professionalism.

It provides recognition of the important roles that scientists play within all aspects of the food sector, in areas such as new product development, food safety, food analysis, product quality and food production.

The RSci will allow Richard to access scientific and technical food information provided by IFST to pass onto Food and Drink Forum members, and to continue providing high quality technical support to food and drink businesses in the region.

“We would like to congratulate Richard on gaining a Registered Scientist Award, which recognises the standards to which he works and the knowledge and expertise that he has in this field,” said Fiona Anderson, managing director of the Food and Drink Forum, which is based at Southglade Food Park, Gala Way, Nottingham.

The Forum’s technical team, made up of Richard Wigley and Kasia Chapman, provides a range of business support services, including formulation, shelf life improvement, packaging advice, technical advice and services, labelling and nutritional advice, auditing, accreditation and certification, new product development support and training.

The Forum, which was established in 1998 as a not-for-profit, membership-led organisation to stimulate and support the sustainable growth and development of the food and drink industry in the East Midlands, operates across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, as well as further afield.

It has members across the region, including manufacturers, food service operators, consultants and businesses providing services to the food and drink sector.

Its aims include championing the food and drink sector in the East Midlands, developing strategic influencing partnerships within and outside the East Midlands, and acting as a centre for information and knowledge on all subjects relating to the food and drink sector in the region.

To contact the Forum technical team email enquiries@foodanddrinkforum.co.uk or telephone 0115 9758810.

Press release issued by Louise Duffield, Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk