Baking Industry Awards 2024: George Stevenson awarded Outstanding Contribution to the Baking Industry

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This award celebrates those who have dedicated their lives to the baking industry, going above and beyond the day job to drive change, share knowledge, and support others.

Winner: George Stevenson

George Stevenson has been in the baking industry for nearly half a century during which time he has delivered growth for his family business and many others like it, and helped develop a programme which has become the backbone of training at many Scottish bakery businesses. It is the latter which holds the key to his outstanding contribution to the baking industry.

He started out his baking career in 1977 when he joined his wife’s family business Mathiesons Bakeries of Scotland – a far cry from his original path which saw him work as a marine geophysicist. But the baking bug took hold, and he didn’t look back, progressing to become managing director of the family firm which he modernised to become one of the largest independent bakeries in Scotland employing over 500 people and supplying 50 shops and mall cafes from a new site in Larbert.

During this time, he was also heavily involved with the Scottish Association of Master Bakers (SAMB), particularly the Training & Education Committee, and took a turn as chairman of the UK Craft Baking Lead Body, which was responsible for the development of the industry’s occupational standards and new national vocational qualifications. He became aware of the decline in the availability of structured skills training either in technical colleges or within bakery businesses themselves and looked to rectify that using his own experience and that of others within the industry.

As such, George has been instrumental in ensuring the bakery skills taught are fit for purpose and help drive the industry forward. His pioneering spirit and enthusiasm for tackling problems head on, has seen him help to shape the future of training in craft baking.

The cornerstone of this is his work on industry training programme called ‘Rising to the Challenge’ which outlines the key skills and competencies required in the modern baking industry.

“George was the instigator and driving force behind ‘Rising to the Challenge’,” said one testimonial. “His expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication to that ensured it became the industry standard helping raise consistency and quality whilst introducing meaningful qualifications throughout the Scottish and ultimately UK bakery trade. This would not have happened without him.”

Another described his dedication and passion for the next generation of bakers as “unparalleled” adding that his “leadership, determination, and energy delivered not only the training material but also the trainers and assessors”.

If this wasn’t enough, he has also been instrumental in setting up the Scottish Family Business Association which has supported many bakeries during its time.

One testimonial stated that he “has never asked for any recognition, simply that the training manual be put to good use”, nevertheless the industry has deemed him worthy of recognition.