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Annual Conference & Awards
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We hope that those who attended our Conference & Awards weekend, at the beginning of May, will agree what a joy it was to be back together with so many friends from the Scottish baking industry.
The weekend was jammed packed with our Exhibitor Showcase, BAKO Cake- Off, panel discussions, key speakers, entertainment, awards, music, dancing and the installation of our new President Ian McGhee.
It was the first time we had been able to come together since 2019 and we were doing so in a new venue – The Glasgow Hilton. We had a refreshed format with panel discussions designed to let the audience participate and ask questions along with keynote speaker, Apprentice winner Carina Lepore, who talked about her business journey, experience on the Apprentice and working with Lord Sugar.
Life Member Awards
We were delighted to present two Life Member Awards at the conference.
Past President Ronnie Miles
Scottish Bakers was delighted to honour Past President Ronnie Miles. Ronnie was installed as President of Scottish Bakers in 2018. Ronnie may not be a baker to trade, but he’s dedicated almost his entire career to the industry, working his way up through the ranks of Bells Food Group. As Managing Director he’s now in charge of a business that makes somewhere in the region of half a million Scotch Pies every week! Ronnie was a genuinely accessible President, always on hand to support the board and the team at Bakers House, and to fly the flag for the association at events and conferences around the country. He may have stepped away from front-line duty, but he continues to serve the association as a board member and is a powerful advocate and ambassador for this trade we all love.
Our top table guests at the Presidential Banquet
Ian Nelson
The second recipient of a Life Member award at the conference was someone who has spent much of his professional life in the bakery trade in one way or another. His experience has over the years helped many businesses to innovate and launch new products ranges, and it is his enthusiasm for quality and for our great trade that marks him out as a special person. He gives his time selflessly to supporting the association and its work. Every year, bakers and butchers wait eagerly for the opening of the annual World Championship Scotch Pie Awards – a landmark event celebrated every January, and which is overseen by the ever-watchful eye of Head Judge Ian Nelson. Without Ian, everything about the competition would just be harder. He’s always in total control of the judging process, absolutely clear on his expectations and rigorous in his attention to detail. We were delighted to present Ian Nelson with his Life Member Award at the conference.
We could not hold such a fantastic event without the support of our sponsors.
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