The NEW President of the National Association of Master Bakers (NA) told delegates the organisation must diversify, as she started her year in office at its annual conference in Stratford last weekend.

Shirley Ryder, 39, the NA’s first lady president, is bakery manager at Peters Homemade Bakery in Manchester.

She said that in the same way that bakers have diversified into sandwiches, hot food and deli lines, the NA needs to add members from other food sectors as the craft sector contracts.

She commented: “The way forward for this Association is to diversify. We are the voice of the craft sector, but we should be shouting to other sectors.”