MEAT Ipswich Ltd

Hello, I am Jane Dale, Managing Director of MEAT. I have 2 goals which are to develop the company as a tribute to my late husband, John Croxford, and to be recognised as one of the best fresh food training companies in the UK.

I try to live by the company motto: professionalism; enthusiasm and pride in all aspects of the business. But my motto for relaxing is: good company; good food; good wine and more wine.

During my time at MEAT I have to say that I have worked alongside some really good people who have become good friends. I consider myself to be a fair employer and I like to empower my workforce.

I strongly believe in training for all, and that everyone deserves a chance to show their true potential.

Elaine Wright also known as - well that depends on who’s asking.
 
I have worked for M.E.A.T (Ipswich) Ltd for over 20 years.  I joined the company as a part time office assistant and went onto full time with all the following jobs………………are you ready? Here we go: Administrator, Health & Safety Monitor in the Workplace, Assessor, Basic Skills Tutor and now General Manager (lets not forget all the other jobs not defined such as Sanitation Technician (cleaner), Shop Assistant (during the busy Christmas Period) and peace maker (I think)).
 
I have gained more than 20 individual certificates during my time at MEAT ranging from NVQ Level 1 to Level 4 and numerous additional day courses.
 
I am still with M.E.A.T (Ipswich) Ltd as I can truly say I really enjoy coming to work.

Hi, my name is Becky and I have worked for MEAT for over 11 years (how long!!!).  I started with the company as a Trainee Butcher and am now Assistant Manager /Internal Verifier/Assessor.  Along the way I have undertaken a wide variety of tasks including managing the catering side of the business.  I have worked through 14 qualifications and am currently trying to complete a BSC degree in Environmental Health in my own time (one day I will complete it!!!).
 
When time and weather permits I love to get out on my motorbike, which is a Yamaha Fazer 600cc, and have a blast.  I would really like to buy a Ducati Monster 696, but will have to wait and see if I can save enough!  The bike shows across the country are also a favourite past time and if anyone is a local bike enthusiast you will have been to Great Bentley (Essex) on a Wednesday night in the summer to meet up with all the other bikers.

Hi, my name is Charlotte also known as Charli!
 
I have been associated with M.E.A.T for about 10 years. I undertook my NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Meat & Poultry Processing many, many years ago while I was working in a retail butchers and I am currently working towards my Level 4 in Meat & Poultry Processing Management, which I started whilst working for a food manufacturers, as a Quality Assurance Technician.
 
I have been working for M.E.A.T for two and half years, I started as a Trainee Assessor but I am now a Senior Assessor (I knew my goal was to put something back into the trade!). Like all my other colleagues during my time with M.E.A.T I have gained a few qualifications and as well as working towards my Level 4, I will be working toward my Advanced Food Hygiene and a Certification in Education. I can defiantly say training is a big emphasis on all staff with M.E.A.T.
 
What I like most of all is when I go out to assess, individuals assume I only assess, I keep quiet, asses and offer help when I feel its needed – whilst doing so individuals are left with their mouths open and are astonished………..(fantastic). The motto is it’s not what you see!!

Hi, I'm Glo. I have been working at MEAT for just over one year, having worked for the NHS for the last 23 years. Life at MEAT is definitely different to NHS administration work and every day is different and very busy.
 
As Jane’s personal assistant (although that job title is often debated in the office) I book Jane’s accommodation and appointments for visiting butchers for sign ups. My knowledge of UK geography has led to Jane being lodged in all manner of accommodation in odd places over the last year, but now thanks to GOOGLE MAPS Jane might at last be lodged close to the place she is visiting!
 
Since starting at MEAT I have been able to take up training in Level 2 in Health and Safety, a Minute Taking course and a Level 3 in Nutrition for Healthier Food and Special Diets (my colleagues do not want to hear the word “distinction” again) and soon hope to be taking up training in Life Skills teaching. There’s nothing like working for a training company to broaden your education.

I’m Andrew and I have just passed the one-year mark at M.E.A.T. This is my first year in full time employment after being sixth form and after that four or so months of part time work. And let me tell you first of all its hard work getting up in the mornings and second when you are Elaine’s assistant, as she’s the hardest worker in the world as Glo and I are told. Whilst at M.E.A.T I have been working towards my NVQ level 3 in Business Administration, which is near completion.
 
When not at work I like playing football 11 and 5 a side, which I’m not too bad at, I’m not sure others will agree. At the moment I’m having blast of bowling evenings where I seem to get worse the more time I play it, I may have to stick to Wii bowling! Also I let myself in for punishment, as I’m an Ipswich Town F.C supporter.

I also manage the website here, so if there are any problems you can contact me.

Neil Croxford - Media Developer.

I am a Food Technologist specialising in quality and its management. In addition I am a qualified Meat Inspector and spent some time working in food manufacturing as a Technical Manager in both North Yorkshire and the Midlands. Over the years I have visited a wide range of butcher’s shops which has informed my teaching; Jane Dale has been helpful here with her insights into the butchery business along with numerous owners and managers of butchers’ shops.
 
My teaching career started 14 years ago where I worked at Salford University as a variable hours’ lecturer while I pursued further studies. I taught Food Safety to first year Environmental Health Officers. I also taught advanced meat candidates Quality Management, animal physiology and manufacturing & distribution.
 
Over the years, one overriding fact has stayed with me e.g. learning should be enjoyable, when at its best (easy to learn when you are relaxed and focused).
 
For many years I have been a keen member of both the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST) and the Chartered Institute of Quality Assurance (CIQA) and it is through them that I keep abreast of new developments in industry world wide.
 
My hobbies are chess and jazz.

Andy Wright - Trainer/Verifier

Hi i'm Dave, what can I do in this trade? Well I have spent more or less 36 years in the trade one way or another. I started on a pig farm and progressed over the years into all aspects of abattoir work, boning plant and butchery work. I also had nearly 20 years with the Meat & Livestock Commision. I have been at M.E.A.T since October 2008.
At home I enjoy a beer and cooking good food. I then enjoy another beer while im eating good food. Other passions, apart from my lovely wife and daughters are gardening, bonsai, DIY, writing, karaoke and beer. I would love to travel to New Zealand to see an old friend, stay at least 2 months and try their beers. We'd have a lot to catch up on having not seen each other for nearly 20 years.

My name is Steven Rudelhoff I am an Assessor/Trainer with M.E.A.T. Ipswich.
 
I started working in my dad’s butcher shops at the age of 8, standing on a box and boning out legs of beef. Not that you could do that these days …
 
I joined Dewhurst as a trainee butcher, as an improver, I worked a number of locations in and around England. I was promoted to manager then “trouble shooter” to sort out shops which were not taking enough money and/or with poor gross profit. My next promotion was sales promoter for JH Dewhurst.
 
I moved to Cambridge CO-OP, which became CRS, initially as a manager, working  my way up to fresh food controller, in which I had responsibility over all fresh and frozen food departments of 87 stores.
 
In 1992 I moved to Wales, where I ran a butchers shop and then started my own business. Yes – I do have all my butchery qualifications.
 
My interests are motorbikes (I was the proud owner of a Honda CBR 1000 and I am looking to get a new bike in the near future) and aeroplanes (I did my first flying lesson about one year ago and it is my dream to get my pilot’s licence). Other interests are the Native American Indian culture.  I travel to America (North Carolina) once or twice each year to stay on a Cherokee retreat, where I do healing and run Reiki Workshops. I am also a Complementary Therapist, specialised in doing treatments with Autistic children/young adults.  I practice my therapies and do Reiki workshops all over the country, together with my wife.