The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) has announced that Sterling Crew has been elected as the new President of the organisation, effective immediately. Sterling has worked and led in the sector for over 35 years.
IFST is the leading professional body for those involved in all aspects of food science and technology, with members from government, industry, and academia. As President, Crew will lead the Institute in its mission to promote the advancement and application of food science and technology for the benefit of the public.
“We are delighted to welcome Sterling as our new President,” said Tim McLachlan, chief executive of IFST. “His extensive experience in the food industry, coupled with knowledge of food enforcement and his dedication to advancing food science and technology, make him the ideal person to lead IFST in the years to come.”
“I am honoured to have been elected as the new President of IFST and extend my thanks to [outgoing president] Helen Munday for her successful term,” said Sterling.
He continued: “I am passionate about the important role IFST can play in promoting the provision of safe, authentic nutritious, delicious food, I am committed to a diverse membership and would like to play a part in its further development, especially in helping to promote careers and employment for our students in difficult times.”
”IFST has some interesting and exciting times ahead. Not least, we look forward to celebrating our 60th anniversary in 2024 and continuing our journey toward the organisation’s possible Chartership status. I hope to continue making people aware of our fantastic membership offer and further drive-up membership numbers, which have doubled in the last decade.
As President, Crew will serve a three-year term and will be responsible for representing IFST at industry events, promoting the organisation’s initiatives and programmes, and serving as a spokesperson for the organisation.
Sterling succeeds Helen Munday as president, who served a successful term during which IFST membership grew by 32% from 2,500 to over 3,600 in March 2023.
“It has been an unusual three years as President of IFST, yet despite the pandemic and the issues in the global supply chain, IFST has grown in stature. We have undergone a strong period of delivery partly through pivoting our ways of working and are proud to have enhanced our relevance to those working in the food profession,” said Helen Munday.
