Jenny Morris
Head of The Institute of Food Safety Integrity & Protection (TiFSiP), Jenny Morris, tells us more about the new membership organisation she heads up and managing food safety for the London 2012 Olympic Games…
Describe yourself in three words.
Committed, enthusiastic, professional.
What’s your biggest professional achievement?
Managing food safety for the London 2012 Summer Olympics at all venues. 14 million meals were eaten and no one was ill; achieving this was a great team effort and I will always be grateful to the environmental health volunteers who gave up their time to check that all was well during the games.
How did you get to where you are today?
Environmental health is my third career. I started out in scientific research, microbiology, trained as a chef, ran my own restaurant and outside catering business, then went into environmental health.
I got to where I am today by following my interests and not refusing new challenges.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A commute into London and then talking, advising and consulting on food safety and associated issues.
I am now heading up a new membership organisation, The Institute of Food Safety Integrity and Protection (TiFSiP). It’s a cross sectoral professional body for all those working to keep food safe, healthy and trustworthy, so the focus is on building new partnerships, recruiting new members and making sure our members are happy with the services we offer.
What have been the highlights of your company’s history, in your opinion?
TiFSiP is a startup so our history is very short. We have a stellar advisory board including regulators, business, trainers, consultants, academia, trade organisations and the third sector that support us.
We are building collaborative partnerships to tackle common problems and bringing our members together to share knowledge and information. Our membership is increasing and spans sectors; from regulators to trainers and well know high street businesses.
What is your pet hate?
Being cold and wet.
Give us a positive prediction for the food industry over the next 12 months.
There will be more cross sectoral collaboration to ensure that food is safe, healthy and trustworthy.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
To give direction but to recognise the input from colleagues. Praising good work by your team costs little but can really make a difference to working relationships.
Who do you most admire?
Good musicians – I wish I could play an instrument well.
Which words do you most overuse?
Actually and engagement.
If you weren’t in your current position, what else might you be doing?
Working in catering, but the hours are not good.
Any vices?
Too much liking for homemade cakes.
What single thing would most improve the quality of your life?
Not spending three hours a day commuting.
How do you relax?
I play tennis, ski and go walking.
How would you like to be remembered?
As a good friend.
