Gareth Watkins

Year of Graduation: 2008

  • Course BSc Biosciences
  • School School of Biomedical Science and Physiology
  • Nationality British
  • Career industry Food Manufactoring
  • Current job title Head of Technical
  • Current Company Pickstock -Telford

University's like this little world, a bubble of time separate from everything before and everything after. - Mhairi McFarlane. So enjoy the little world you become a part of and be proud of what you can and will achieve.

During my time at the University I really enjoyed the practical aspect of the course, learning new skills from dissection through to SDS gel essays. I also enjoyed spending time in the University’s gym and sports halls, especially having the freedom and fully access to the squash courts, where I spent many a good day with friends that I had made over the years.
Having studied biosciences with a real focus on plant biology, physiology and anatomy this gave me a real head start in understanding how plants (vegetables) react and change over life and now working in food manufacture where the current focus is on ready meals containing protein and mixed vegetable. I am able to put my gained knowledge into practice to help understand how MAP packaging and vegetable respiration can cause issues with gaseous production in pack, its effects on overall shelf life and packaging stability especially where C4 plants are used in high CO2 gas packed products.
My key responsibilities within my current role are to ensure that food is manufactured safely for sale into retailers stores and to the public, as part of this a major focus on HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), TACCP (Threat Analysis Critical Control Point) and VACCP (Vulnerability Analysis Critical Control Point) all of which are used to ensure food safety from supply chain through to onsite processes, through to the consumer.
I would consider my rapid growth within my chosen industry to be my biggest highlight in my career, from entering the food manufacturing industry in 2011 as a Quality Assurance Assistant Manager to becoming the Head of Technical for a multi-million pound business within 8 years is one a massive achievement, but two that would not have happened without the tools given to me through my degree.
I would always advise for them to really focus on allowing time to revise for exams, enjoy the lectures and practical sessions where they will be exposed to key learnings and practical training for there career path ahead! And that 3 years may seem a long way off but as soon as year 1 has started they will find they are quickly entering year 3! So enjoy your time studying, socialising and making life long friends.