We are pleased to announce the appointment of Gillian Kelleher as the new Chair of the BRCGS International Advisory Boards (IABs) for Europe and the Americas. A distinguished leader in food safety and quality, Gillian brings with her an impressive career spanning four decades in the global food industry. She will assume her new role immediately.

Originally from Ireland, Gillian has lived and worked across Ireland, the U.K., France, and the U.S. She holds a Bachelor of Food Science (Dairy) degree from University College Cork, Ireland. Her extensive experience encompasses multiple sectors, including manufacturing, food service, retail, and distribution, having worked with leading companies such as Häagen Dazs, Burger King, Express Foods, and Pillsbury. For over twenty years, Gillian played a pivotal role at Wegmans Food Markets in the U.S., where she served as Vice President of Food Safety & Quality Assurance, leading their food safety and quality programs.

Gillian has also held prominent leadership positions in the industry, including serving as vice chair of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Board of Directors and as a member of the Board of Directors of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). She currently chairs the Educational Advisory Board for the Food Safety Summit and has been a long-standing member of Harvard’s Private and Public, Scientific, Academic and Consumer Food Policy Committee (PAPSAC).

Expressing her enthusiasm on the appointment, Gillian stated, “I am thrilled to be working with BRCGS, an organisation that plays a crucial role in strengthening confidence in the food and drink supply chain. BRCGS is known for its technical excellence, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success in meeting the evolving needs of brands and retailers worldwide.”

Amanda McCarthy, Business Director at BRCGS, commented, “Our International Advisory Boards are invaluable to BRCGS, providing essential strategic and technical guidance to ensure our Certification Programmes deliver trusted results for our global stakeholders. With Gillian’s extensive experience across different regions and sectors, she has excellent insight into the global challenges related to product integrity throughout all elements of the supply chain.”

In addition to her new role at BRCGS, Gillian remains actively involved in various food safety initiatives. She currently serves as co-chair of the Board of Directors for Stop Foodborne Illness and is a co-founder of the Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness. She also leads the Leafy Greens Safety Coalition (LGSC), further demonstrating her commitment to advancing food safety standards worldwide.