Grimsby Institute Strengthens Services to Europe’s Foodtown
Grimsby Institute has further strengthened its commitment to the local food industry with the appointment of Mat Thompson (pictured right) as Senior Trainer Consultant (Food). A food industry specialist who has worked locally, nationally and internationally, Mat has joined the Grimsby Institute’s business training services division to bring a fresh dimension to the training and development offer for food businesses.
Mat is known to many in the region and has spent his entire career so far as a food industry professional. He spent five years working on projects with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) experts to support the development of policy, food quality and food safety in Pakistan, India and across Africa. His role was to advise stakeholders looking to export on how they could meet standards for supply and preparing documents for Good Manufacturing Practice.
Mat was also involved with a two-year project with the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) Athens, ahead of the Olympics there in 2004, to support local food manufacturers and producers with food safety skills and standards. He has also delivered a number of European-funded projects surrounding processes and supply chains.
Now Mat will use his industry expertise to benefit businesses in the sector by ensuring training and development offered by the Institute continues to meet the evolving needs of employers.
Lesley Charlesworth-Browne (pictured left), Director of Business and Professional Development at Grimsby Institute Group, says: “We’re thrilled that Mat has joined the business training services division. He’s worked all over the world as a food industry professional and now he’s turned his attention to helping to train and educate others working in the sector to support Grimsby’s position as Europe’s Foodtown. Mat’s appointment sends out a strong message about our commitment to providing industry-leading training that is relevant, up to date and of the highest quality.”
Mat says: “I’m looking forward to working closely with the region’s food manufacturers to help them develop their businesses and maintain a competitive edge with unrivalled training for their employees.”
One of the Grimsby Institute’s priorities is to support local employers by ensuring they, their staff, and their prospective local employees have access to relevant training, qualifications and skills.
