Meet the president

We thought it would be nice to get to know some of your Committee members a bit better and who better to start with than your ABST President Kieth Houliston. Keith has been President of the ABST since our Annual Conference in 2019. The President normally serves for 1 year but due to the pandemic Keith very kindly continued in this role and is due to hand over the reigns at next conference in 2022. So let's go through some of the questions.

Let's start at the beginning. How did you get into baking?
While I attended school at the age of 13, I worked at a local Craft Baker in Scotland assisting the baker with labouring tasks. The main objective was to earn money at that stage I had no interest I getting involved in a career in Baking. I did this until I left school at 17.

So how long have you been involved in the baking industry?
I spent 8 years in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market selling into the grocery trade. I gained lots of knowledge due to the excellent training I received. In 1981 I was offered a position with Bakels in Scotland. I have worked in numerous positions with them for 40 years
 
What is your favourite baked product and why?
I do enjoy a Scotch Pie, probably because it was a product I was brought up with as a youngster living in Scotland. I really appreciate enjoying a good one when I visit Scotland as they are not readily available in England. I have been invited to judge in the annual World Scotch Pie Championships on a couple of occasions which is an enjoyable experience.

What advice would you give to someone starting a career in the baking industry?

• Learn as much at college to obtain the necessary qualifications that you require.
• Capitalise on opportunities for work experience , internships , Demonstrations/ Presentations, visiting exhibitions, attending Bakery courses and conferences (ABST being the ultimate!).
• Offer your services with a local bakery asking for little or no financial gain to prove you wish to learn.
• Prepare a CV that is appropriate to the role and stands out. Help is available to do this.
• Research information on companies you are interested in.
• Be positive and keen in your approach to potential employers be prepared to go the extra mile.
• Get to know as many influential people in the Industry as possible, networking at the various functions that are available to you ( ABST Conference being the obvious)

What has been your proudest achievement so far?

• Being made a Director of British Bakels in 2000
• Receiving the Award for the Outstanding Contribution to the Baking Industry from the National Baking Awards and the Baking Industry Awards in 2020

A huge thanks to Keith for answering all of the questions and I think we can agree that we are lucky to have him as our President. We will be asking other members of the committee questions soon, so if you have any that you would like to add, then get in touch with us on [email protected]