Agri-Food Centre Manager - Angela Sawyer

Angela joined the team in 2002 and is the Centre Manager here at Food Centre Wales. With an extensive career in senior technical management in a wide range of food and drink businesses, she understands the challenges facing businesses of all sectors and sizes.

Angela uses her experience in funded projects and commercial activities to steer the Centre to provide a comprehensive technical support system for businesses across Wales and beyond. Providing facilities and support designed to foster a robust and vibrant food and drink manufacturing sector, Angela is ideally placed to lead the centre in supporting all businesses with their technical and commercial needs.

Business Operations Manager - Catherine Cooper

Catherine joined the team in January 2019, developing an excellent and highly successful training offering before becoming the Business Operations Manager in September 2024. Bringing 20 years of industry experience in food manufacture when she joined, Catherine is ideally placed to understand the challenges and barriers businesses face and identify their solutions.

Using her in-depth understanding of compliance and food safety and processing, together with her experience of funded support projects and Business Development strategy, Catherine’s role is to ensure Food Centre Wales functions effectively and offers the best possible service to clients.

Technical Manager - Mark Jones

Mark Jones joined the Food Centre Wales team as a Food Technologist in 2013 before becoming Technical Manager in October 2024, becoming well established as an excellent process driven technologist with a particular talent for developing award winning cheese. A food science and technology graduate with many years of experience in industry, working in senior roles in production and technical departments has given Mark the ideal experience to lead the technical team here at Food Centre Wales.

Mark ensures the best possible service for funded and commercial clients, leading on innovative and effective events and projects designed to support a resilient and robust food manufacturing sector.

Senior Food Technologist - Gina Sarracini Davies

Gina joined the team in 2024 as Senior Food Technologist. With BSc(Hons) Agri Food Production degree and over 20 years' experience in the dairy and fresh produce industry including her own food manufacturing business in fresh pasta. Also, with an Environmental, sustainability and renewable energy experience. 

As senior food technologist Gina supervises the technical team, providing technical assistance to food and drink companies, preparing proposals for project development work, presenting and assisting in the delivery of events, seminars and workshops.  

Food Technologist - Rhian Jones

Rhian is a Food Technologist with over 18 years of experience working across a number of sectors in the food industry. Since joining Food Centre Wales in 2005 she has developed a particular interest in NPD, meat and ready-to-eat technology working with clients to bring new products to market. In addition, she has expanded her portfolio to become an accredited Food Safety Trainer Officer for courses provided by the Food Centre.

Food Technologist - Gerallt Morris

Gerallt Morris joined the team as a Food Technologist in 2015. Gerallt has a Degree in Chemistry and has several industrial based qualifications, he has worked in the Food Industry for over 10 years. Gerallt Specialises in Quality Systems, Quality Control, Process Efficiency and has helped several companies from the NPD stage to getting a product on the shelf.

Food Technologist - Karolina Davies

Karolina joined the team in October 2024, bringing 17 years of experience in food manufacturing, with a background in fresh meat, ready meals, and bakery. She specialises in Food Safety Management Systems, Quality Control, Auditing, process validation and Good Manufacturing Practices. Karolina works closely with food processing companies, sharing her expertise in product development, production and process improvement. Her focus is on helping businesses enhance their Food Safety practices and standards.

Food Technologist - Amanda Newton

Amanda joined the team in December 2024, bringing a BSc (Hons) in Food Nutrition & Consumer Protection and over 18 years of experience within slaughter, fresh and cooked meat, rice and pet food industries. She specialises in auditing, compliance, training and the development of food safety and quality systems. Amanda provides technical advice to clients, manages diverse projects and delivers knowledge transfer activities. She also supports client accreditation through tailored advice, gap analyses of food safety management systems and internal audit mentoring.

Facilities Coordinator - Ceris Moyle

Ceris Moyle joined Food Centre Wales in 2014. With many years food manufacturing experience and a Level 3 diploma in Food & Drink Engineering Maintenance, she has responsibility for the physical facilities here on site. Ceris ensures that Food Centre Wales equipment and building facilities are well maintained and equipped with the technology our clients require for the technical support.

Assistant Food Technologist - Phoebe Evans

Phoebe joined Food Centre Wales in October 2024 as an Assistant Food Technologist. She holds a master’s degree in International Agri-Business and Food Chain Management, with a strong interest in sustainable practices and innovation within the agri-food sector. In her role, Phoebe supports food technologists on new projects, gaining valuable experience in food safety, manufacturing processes, quality control and new product development.

Assistant Food Technologist – Lowri Hargood

Lowri joined us in June 2025 as Assistant Food Technologist. She holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Human Nutrition and has a strong interest in new product development. With previous experience in wholesale, food manufacturing and food labelling specifications, she brings a solid understanding of the industry.

In her role, Lowri supports food technologists on new projects, gaining valuable experience in food safety, manufacturing processes, quality control and new product development.

Student Food Technician – Ifan Davies

Ifan joined Food Centre Wales in 2025 as a Student Food Technician on placement from Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he is studying BSc Food Science and Nutrition (Quality, Safety & Innovation Pathway).

With a farming background, he brings practical insight to the role and supports the technical team in assisting food and drink businesses, as well as contributing to projects and events. He has a keen interest in food policy, labelling and quality assurance.

Training Officer - Tabitha Roberts

Dr. Tabitha Roberts joined Food Centre Wales as a Training Officer in February 2025. A fully qualified teacher, she earned an MChem in Chemistry in 2014, followed by a PhD in Biological Sciences in 2021. 

With practical experience in the food and drink industry and expertise in Quality Management Systems, compliance, training and auditing, she plays a key role in developing and delivering industry-focused training, ensuring businesses receive high-quality guidance to meet industry standards.

General Assistant - Amanda Draper

Amanda ensures the hygiene and food safety standards are maintained to a high level in the Innovation and Manufacturing hub.  She supports Food Technologists and assists food businesses who are utilising the food processing facilities. 

Amanda was self-employed in catering and the food sector for 20 years and been at Food Centre Wales for 18 years.

Food Technician – Malgorzata Polak

Malgorzata joined the team in 2025, bringing with her 17 years of experience in food manufacturing. With a background in meat and flavour production, she has developed strong practical expertise across Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Production and Hygiene departments.

She holds a degree in Food Technology with a specialism in Nutrition, giving her a solid foundation in both food science and processing. At Food Centre Wales, Malgorzata supports the food technology team in delivering technical services to the food industry and provides hands-on assistance to commercial users of the processing facilities.

Centre Co-ordinator - Annwen Gale

Annwen Gale joined the team in September 2017 as a Centre Coordinator. Her role is to provide administrative and co-ordination assistance for each department at the Centre.

Annwen has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years in a range of different venues within the private and public sector.

Administrative Assistant – Joanna Zawlodzka

Joanna became a part of the team in July 2025 as an Administrative Assistant. She supports the day-to-day running of the Centre, providing administrative and financial assistance to the Centre.

She holds a diploma in Business Management and Accountancy and brings extensive experience from the food manufacturing, hospitality and retail industries.

Business Development Officer (Marketing and Communications) - Ceris Griffiths

Ceris joined Food Centre Wales in August 2019 and leads the Centre’s marketing and communications, including website management and bilingual content creation. She also plays a key role in planning and delivering the Centre’s events.

Since earning her Business Management degree in 2005, Ceris has gained extensive experience in the hospitality and retail industries.

The HELIX Programme is a Welsh Government initiative designed to strengthen and grow the food and drink industry in Wales.

At Food Centre Wales, we play a key role in delivering this support, working directly with businesses to provide tailored technical advice, practical training and hands-on expertise. From start-ups bringing their first product to market, to established companies looking to improve processes or explore new opportunities, the HELIX Programme funding makes it possible for Welsh food and drink businesses to innovate and thrive.

What support does the HELIX Programme provide?

Through the HELIX Programme, food and drink manufacturers can access bespoke support from our Food Technologists and business specialists in three key areas:

• Innovation – fast-tracking new products and supporting food start-ups
• Efficiency – helping businesses reduce waste and improve processes, leading to cost savings and better productivity
• Strategy – developing advanced skills in food technology and strengthening the sector for long-term growth

Impact July 2023 – March 2025

The HELIX Programme has delivered tangible benefits across Wales, including:

• Over £303 million financial impact
• 188 jobs created and 6,131 safeguarded
• 199 businesses supported
• 1,347 training days delivered for 822 participants
• 103 new businesses assisted
• 277 new markets accessed
• 533 new products developed

Delivered in partnership

The HELIX Programme is delivered through a collaboration between:

• Food Centre Wales, Ceredigion
• Food Technology Centre, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
• ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre, Cardiff Metropolitan University
• AberInnovation, Aberystwyth University

Together, we bring technical knowledge, academic research and industry insight to ensure the Welsh food and drink sector can compete at the highest level.

📩 To explore The HELIX Programme support for your business, contact gen@foodcentrewales.org.uk or call 01559 362230.

Food Centre Wales is proud to be part of Food Innovation Wales – three food centres working together to support and grow the Welsh food and drink industry.

From start-ups to established manufacturers, Food Innovation Wales provides expert advice, technical support and practical solutions to help businesses develop, innovate and succeed.

Find out more at www.foodinnovation.wales