‘Vision and clear plans’

Joanne Hubbard, public analyst at Public Analyst Scientific Services, hopes for greater focus on food authenticity, quality and standards to reduce risk and ensure compliance throughout the supply chain.

Describe yourself in three words:

Determined, analytical and talkative.

What’s your biggest professional achievement?

The day when I first signed a Certificate of Analysis for an official food sample as a public analyst – it took a lot of hard work to get to that moment.

How did you get to where you are today?

After leaving university I started work as a scientist at GMSS, a public analyst laboratory. I worked my way up through the ranks, learning a lot along the way about testing food, feed and consumer products.

I joined Eurofins as a trainee public analyst, passed my MChemA qualification (the statutory qualification required to become a public analyst) and became appointed in the role.

I had a little diversion for a while working in quality for a medical devices company and then for Kelloggs, followed by a role as a consultant on food labelling.

I am now back in my original profession working as a public analyst for Public Analyst Scientific Services (PASS), which is exactly where I want to be. Part of the Eurofins Group, PASS provides independent legislative advice and interpretation of test results to enforcement authorities. There are 21 of us at PASS, including eight public analysts.

What does a typical day look like for you?

They are all different, but generally involve deciding what analysis is required on incoming samples, reviewing laboratory results, answering queries from clients, writing reports, attending meetings and keeping up to date with new legislation.

What have been the highlights of your company’s history, in your opinion?

The biggest highlight has been getting access in-house to the biggest chemistry set in the world – with over 100,000 tests available to choose from in an online catalogue; that enables us to be able to deal with current food issues as they arise. Eurofins has also introduced lean working principles to allow us to streamline testing, so enabling us to benefit from eliminating waste and cutting costs.

What is your pet hate?

Automated phone systems.

Give us a positive prediction for the food industry over the next 12 months:

I hope there will be even more focus on food authenticity, quality and standards to reduce risk and ensure compliance throughout the supply chain.

What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?

Leaders not only need vision and clear plans, but to also set clear expectations for the team. They need to listen to the team and work with them and their ideas.

They need to be honest, approachable, appreciate what people do and work with their team to help everyone reach their potential.

Who do you most admire?

My mum, who is cheerful, optimistic, uncomplaining and brave.

Which people/organisations or companies are the ones to watch right now?

I think I would have to say Public Analyst Scientific Services!

Which words do you most overuse?

My husband says that I overuse the word ‘just’, particularly in the format, “I will just be a minute”!

If you weren’t in your current position, what else might you be doing?

I should imagine it would be something technical and related to food, or maybe an equine nutritionist.

Tell us something about yourself that few people know.

I have been to every one of the Channel Islands.

Any vices?

Curry and red wine, although I don’t actually consider them to be vices. And shopping (which is a vice).

What single thing would most improve the quality of your life?

At the moment it would be being able to walk; I fractured my pelvis in a horse riding accident recently and am hopping about on crutches.

How do you relax?

Spending time with friends, horse riding, holidays and playing Candy Crush.

How would you like to be remembered?

Fondly.

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