Karen Dear has been promoted to chief executive of the Craft Bakers Association (CBA).
Dear has been with the organisation for nearly 23 years, most recently as director of operations. The promotion is effective from Monday 3 April and will see Dear take responsibility for driving further growth and expansion of the trade body and its services.
“We are delighted to announce that Karen Dear has been appointed chief executive of the CBA in recognition of her dedicated service and leadership to the organisation. The appointment supports our ambitious future growth and development goals, whilst enabling us to build for the future,” said CBA chairman Nick Harris.
Dear added that she was looking forward to taking on the challenge at what is an exciting time for the CBA.
“My new role will enable me to focus on growing the organisation, whilst also ensuring CBA membership continues to be valuable to all our members and industry supporters,” she said.
One of the first things on Dear’s agenda is the upcoming CBA Business Day which takes place on Wednesday 14 June. It represents the CBA’s first event in four years and is designed to ‘empower bakers to future proof their business’.
The programme includes presentations from industry experts on key topics, including consumer attitudes to craft bakery and how to make the media work for your business. Experts including British Baker editor Amy North, Howard Saunders, retail futurist speaker, and Dr Devon Petrie from the National Bakery School are among those who will share their insights, expertise and advice to help businesses prepare for the year ahead.
The event will also see CBA president Neil Woods step down and Patrick Wilkins installed in the role.
“It’ll be a great opportunity to showcase all that the craft baking industry has to offer and acknowledge the resilience and importance of the industry, especially during the challenging times we have all faced recently and continue to do so,” Dear added.
“We’re also looking forward to thanking our national president, Neil, for his outstanding work and welcoming incoming president, Patrick, who we’re sure will be a great addition to the association.”
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