BRCGS Connect offered an invaluable opportunity to reconnect with long-standing colleagues and build new professional relationships. The event also provided the perfect platform to recognise and celebrate peers whose outstanding commitment, expertise, and impact continue to strengthen BRCGS certification and champion food safety across the industry.

We were delighted to receive such positive feedback from participants:

“What a fantastic BRCGS Connect event in London! The quality of the agenda, content, and speakers was first-class. It covered topics that were relevant, thought-provoking, and timely. It was great to see so many food safety leaders in one place, sharing best practice and actionable insights … definitely one for the diary next year.”

– Will Watts, Head of Food Technology, Marks & Spencer

Without further do, we are proud to announce this year’s award winners for the European and neighbouring regions. We invite you to join us in celebrating their remarkable achievements and continued contribution to advancing food safety and operational excellence.

 

BRCGS Auditor of the year                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Annunziata Damiano                                                                              

“I’m truly honoured to receive the “BRCGS Auditor of the Year 2026” award. For me, being the winner of the BRCGS Auditor award is a great satisfaction and recognition of the dedication and commitment I put into my work every day to ensure high standards in food safety.

It is an award I wish to share with all my colleagues auditors at DNV. I would like to express my gratitude to the entire BRCGS team for recognizing my work. I am also grateful to my DNV colleagues for their collaboration and support."                                                                                                                             

BRCGS Approved Training Partner of the year                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Victoria DuPont

"I was delighted to be awarded "Approved Training Partner of the Year". I feel so proud to be part of the BRCGS Community and privileged to be given the opportunity to initiate continual improvement to Auditors and Sites globally through the BRCGS training Academy. This award is the recognition of my personal journey in compliance which has spanned more than 25 years.

Well done to all the other award winners; I wish you all the best in the coming year."

 

BRCGS Consultant of the year                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Muhammad Shahbaz

"I am deeply honored and truly excited to receive this prestigious award from BRCGS.

This recognition is not just an achievement, it reflects my deep passion and unwavering commitment to supporting organizations in the implementation and assurance of globally recognized food safety standards. As a globally recognized benchmark, BRCGS provides confidence to customers that products are safe, legal, authentic and of the highest quality.

Proud to collaborate with BRCGS in empowering organizations to elevate their standards, strengthen compliance frameworks, and embed excellence across food safety and quality operations

Grateful to the BRCGS team for this outstanding opportunity and for their continued leadership in advancing global standards of excellence.

Together, we move forward, safer in our systems, smarter in our strategies, and stronger in our standards."

 

Certificated site of the year                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Ceres Fruit Growers (PTY)

 

 

Certification body of the year                                                                                                                                                                                                           

NSF

 

CEO Award                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Claire Yates, Co-operative Group

"I am delighted and very proud to be awarded the BRCGS CEO Award. I am so proud to be part of the BRCGS Community and to continue to support the wider food Industry. BRCGS have not only supported us as Retailer but also helped shape by career in the food industry.

Well done to all the other winners, a truly inspirational day. I cant wait to see what’s next for the BRCGS Community."

 

BRCGS Champion award                                                                                               

Emma West                                                                                                           

"Winning the BRCGS Champion Award during BRCGS’ 30th Anniversary year has truly made me pause and reflect on the journey.

My involvement with BRCGS started before Issue 1 of the Food Safety Standard was published. While working for Hazelwood Foods, I hosted the very first pilot audit of the Food Safety Standard prior to launch. Just a few weeks later, I joined EFSIS (European Food Safety Inspection Service) as an auditor and from there I witnessed the Standard evolve from an inspection-based model into a globally recognised product certification programme.

I have been involved in Technical Advisory meetings, CB Cooperation Group meetings and Standard rewrite sessions. The debate, challenge and collaboration in those forums helped shape the robustness and integrity of the Schemes as they stand today.

Over the years, I’ve seen the Standard in operation across the globe - from New Zealand, Thailand, India and China to the US, Canada, Brazil, and throughout Europe. It was a privilege to be involved in the launch of the Compliance Programme and to participate in calibration during the very first compliance visits, working with so many dedicated stakeholders committed to strengthening product safety.

Today, through my work with FoodChain ID, that same purpose continues, driven by my passion for protecting consumers and supporting our mission to keep the global food supply chain safe and transparent. The values that shaped BRCGS over the past 30 years strongly align with the work we do every day to protect brands, consumers and supply chains worldwide.

To have played a part in this incredible 30-year journey, and to continue contributing to food safety and transparency through FoodChain ID is something I feel immensely proud of.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey and congratulations to all the 2026 award winners."