ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre>About Us>Helen Taylor

Helen Taylor

Helen R Taylor

Helen R Taylor
Technical Director
Email: hrtaylor@cardiffmet.ac.uk
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My role at the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre

My role at the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre is to support the Food Manufacturing sector to grow and prosper. This is realised via a best in class' flexible and responsive technical service which includes bespoke activities in the following areas:

  • Food Safety
  • Food Law
  • Food Safety Scheme Compliance
  • New product Development and Innovation
  • Process Development and Optimisation
  • Education and Training
  • Applied Food Industry Research

I am responsible for delivering expertise and knowledge to the sector via an experienced team of technical and academic professionals who operate synergistically with Food and Drink manufacturers. We work across all product categories along the food supply chain from 'farm gate' to the retailers. The technical team work with over 100 manufacturing companies of all sizes annually. We deliver our services via a number of established mechanisms including knowledge transfer.

Previous Experience

In my ten years at Cardiff Metropolitan University, I have worked with the team and stakeholders to deliver the following:

  • Created and led the Packaging Innovation Group;
  • Created and led the Food Industry Skills Project (FISP) which supported a research study into the skills needs of the sector. Which led to the development and delivery of a MSc Food Technology for Industry, short courses, foundation degree and FILO (Food Industry Learning On line) project;
  • Successfully delivered over 100 knowledge transfer programmes via the KITE programme;
  • Delivered 100's of technical projects to meet the needs of the manufacturing sector;
  • Completed research projects in line with the needs of the sector and presented the findings at national and international conferences 

Before joining the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre, I worked at a senior level in the food industry with Board-level experience in the manufacturing sector.  This included companies such as Cargill, Cargill Integra, Cranberry Foods, Ethnic Cuisine, Tulip International and Zorba Chilled Foods. My experience includes:

  • Supporting businesses in all aspects of technical management and technical strategy;
  • Securing second and third party Food safety scheme compliance for businesses;
  • Developing and delivering technical development and knowledge transfer programmes;
  • Developing, designing and launching hundreds of branded and own brand products for multiple marketplaces;
  • Lecturer in New product development and Module leader in Global Food Quality Management:
  • Factory, process design and optimisation for manufacturers;

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

BSc(Hons) Applied Biological Sciences, Diploma in Packaging Technology, HACCP Level 4, Food Safety in Manufacturing Level 4, Lead Auditor, BRC7 Auditor. Preparing to teach in Post Compulsory Education and Training, Prince 2.

Member of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, Registered Food Safety Manager, Registered Professional Food Auditor and Mentor. Secretary of the Professional Development Committee

Member of the International Association of Food Protection. European organising committee Member.

SALSA Technical Advisory Committee

Journals and Publications

Peer reviewed publications: see here

National and International Conference Contributions: see here