We bridge the gap...
While working as a technical manager in the food manufacturing industry, it quickly became apparent to me that there was a gap in the market.
I found a substantial technical resource and affordability gap between artisanal and medium-sized food producers, and manufacturers trying to make the break, and the big boy food producers and manufacturers where there was a flock of technical resources coming out of every office door and money was no object.
I would often get asked for technical advice outside of my day job and, to be honest, I loved the feeling I got when I knew I had provided priceless insider knowledge to a business using my technical experience as an Environmental Health Officer, Technical Manager, and 3rd party auditor (I’ve worn lots of hats!). This meant their product was safer, compliant and, less of a risk of enforcement action – and of course, they could sleep easier at night!
I was unhappy working with certain clients and my technical role being-taken for granted, so I decided to take the plunge, roll up my sleeves and offer my support where it is really needed.
On October 25th, 2018 I spent £12 with Companies House, and Beacon Compliance was born.
Originally called, “One Step Ahead Food Safety Ltd” as essentially, that was exactly what I was doing keeping my clients one step ahead.
The name didn’t exactly roll of the tongue easily, so I began to consider alternatives, inspiration came while I was listening to the radio. A song came on about a lighthouse on the hill, and I thought, that’s it. Beacon Compliance is essentially a lighthouse, proactively guiding food producers and manufacturers away from the rocks of non-compliance to the safety of conformance and accreditations galore!
In short, Beacon Compliance bridges the technical resource gap by offering food producers and manufacturers around the UK bespoke food safety compliance solutions to fit with your food business needs, whatever stage of growth you may be at or aspiring to achieve.
About Katie...
What can I do? Well I am very experienced so I can cover, everything on the contents page of BRC Global Standard for Food, Storage, Distribution and Agents and Brokers, SALSA and STS!
Who am I? Well, depending on how well the rugby team is doing, I am known to swing between supporting England or Wales! I was born in Trowbridge and moved to Swansea when I was 5 – probably time I decided where my loyalties lie though hey!! People tell me that I have a hybrid accent, some may say posh, Welsh accent.
But, seriously, I like to describe myself as a good cop. I am very much on your side. I started in enforcement as an Environmental Health Officer back in 2004, inspecting hundreds of food businesses across South Wales and sunny Cornwall. In 2006, I was tempted into the private food manufacturing sector by my late father. I soon realised he actually wanted free technical consultancy to deliver his BRC Food version 4, Dad’s hey! After getting Dad sorted, I quickly moved into technical management implementing food safety quality management systems to withstand M&S, TESCO, Morrison, ASDA and Ginsters branded scrutiny, as well as managing and personally developing teams of quality assurance technicians. Through this I found myself working with everything from suet, raw meats, pasties, and slices, to sandwiches, cream cakes, savoury pastries and butter and now I work with all forms of food product! Through this time, I was also able to gain experience as an auditor! The opportunity to sit opposite, scrutinising the documented systems that food businesses had in place to get a third-party accreditation! This gives a great insight that my clients are finding invaluable.
In my other life I have two daughters and I am very proud to let them see Mummy working hard to get them the big house and other comforts that they want.
I am dedicated to the success of my clients, with their success being a reflection on my own and Beacon Compliance’s capabilities. My ‘glass half full’ attitude to life and business means that I present problems with solutions. I am passionate when it comes to fairness and delivering a practical, bespoke and personal solution at the right level and need for the food producer and manufacturer, why go for BRC when SALSA is sufficient? or why not go for BRC when you have the technical resource supporting you?
I am so excited about what the future holds for the company as my goal of Beacon Compliance being the ‘go to’ food safety expert centre for food producers and manufacturers around the UK evolves!
Jay Joshi11. August, 2021.Katie was fantastic in fitting us in (quite last minute!) and helping us to prepare for our upcoming audit. I would be happy to recommend Beacon Compliance. Jay Joshi - The Natural Food and Drink Company
Simon Davis26. June, 2021.We work with Beacon Compliance to ensure our food business compliance and procedures are in correctly in place and documented. We find them very helpful , approachable and knowledgeable.
Cilgwenyn Bee Farm12. March, 2021.Great service and excellent knowledge and a good grasp of processes that many others would miss.
Pri's Puddings11. February, 2021.I use Beacon compliance for all our packaging / food labelling checks and they are fantastic. Katie was incredibly helpful with clarifying all our questions on packaging, and went the extra mile when it came to multiple languages and product specific questions. I highly recommend them!
Chicken Crackling23. June, 2020.W have been working with Katie for 12 months throughout the build and installation of all production processes of our new factory, We have been delighted with Katie's attention to detail and knowledge of food safety and compliance.
Aoife Ryan17. June, 2020.It's been an absolute pleasure working with Katie and we're really grateful for the help she's given us and our business. Katie's experience and in-depth knowledge of the food industry as both a producer and an EHO is absolutely invaluable. She had excellent communication with us throughout and we will definitely be using her services again in the future.
Sally Gates2. June, 2020.Katie Young from Beacon Compliance has provided a number of the BUCANIER Project Participants with specialist consultancy support. Her professionalism and passion for her work is displayed from the first interaction, quotation, all the way through to client meetings, site visit and delivery of the final report. Her attention to detail, findings and suggested action plans provide an enormous amount of bespoke support and guidance to her clients on the regulatory requirements. Highly recommended! A quote from one of our participants: “Thanks so much for the report Katie, absolutely brilliant. It was so great to have you come down to the space first hand and really listen to what was happening! Also amazing to talk with someone who has so much knowledge and experience with food as well as agriculture and farming!”
Helen Davies31. October, 2019.Katie is highly professional and extremely knowledgeable. Katie follows up on what she promises and went over and above to ensure I was supported and had the knowledge I needed - for now and in the future. I would highly recommend Beacon Compliance
Ahmed Abdullahi30. October, 2019.We (Deqa Foods) consider ourselves very lucky to have found Katie correcting our product label. We will definitely be using more of her services again as she is highly professional, approachable and knowledgeable in her field. Thank you Katie
In-chan Kim30. October, 2019.You know when you meet someone who is in the right environment, in their environment. This is one of them! Great expertise and diligence, but more importantly, what they believe and care about in life is what they do for work! Fully recommend!
