Trade association Scottish Bakers has elected three new board members to strengthen its team as the industry comes under intense pressure.
The three new members are Andrew Chisholm, managing director of J B Christie; Chloe Milne, director of Fisher and Donaldson; and Shirley Simson, operations director of Lees of Scotland.
Scottish Bakers chief executive Alasdair Smith said the appointments came at a crucial time for the sector.
“We are facing an existential crisis from cost-of-living impacts on energy and ingredient costs coupled with real recruitment and skills challenges and the very likely possibility of less government investment in skills for our future,” he explained.
“We welcome Andrew, Chloe and Shirley to help us chart these choppy waters whilst still celebrating the incredible skills and very real contribution to the economy that our sector delivers.”
Chisholm has been in the baking industry since 1983, working his way from apprentice through to business owner. He has mainly been in management and technical roles for the past 30 years, working on large projects as well as the day-to-day running of departments and whole businesses.
Milne is one of the fifth generation of family business Fisher & Donaldson. She grew up in the bakery and worked in one of the bakery shops/cafés as a teenager before studying and then working in arts marketing for 10 years. In 2019 she moved back to the family business with an initial focus of marketing and communications and is now co-director alongside her brother and sister.
Simson has been employed in the bakery, biscuit and confectionery sector for more than 30 years, working for businesses such as McVitie’s, Burton’s, Bayne’s and Lees. She brings experience across functions including production, supply chain, safety and HR, and is passionate about empowering the workforce through training and encouraging the younger generation to join the baking trade.
Scottish Bakers president Ian McGhee welcomed the trio to the board, adding: “They each bring a wealth of knowledge, passion and commitment to the organisation which has supported our interests for so long.”
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