New Master Cutler visits Sheffield Hallam’s National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering

3rd November 2022

The new Master Cutler, Dame Julie Kenny, has visited Sheffield Hallam’s National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering (NCEFE) to learn more about the University’s work to address challenges across the food and drink industry.

Businesswoman Dame Julie had a tour of the Centre to find out about current projects and the regional food sector, as well as meeting representatives from partner organisations working with NCEFE to address industry challenges.

As part of the visit, she met Zeck Global who are developing technology to reduce energy consumption in manufacturing by 90 per cent, and Koolmill who are helping to lower the amount of waste created during the rice milling process.

She also spoke to researchers working on a project to improve sustainability in food processing utilising technology created by OHM-E Technology.

Dame Julie said of her visit to NCEFE: “I’ve been so impressed with what I’ve seen here today, it’s been fascinating. If I was starting my career today, I think I’d go into food. It’s just amazing.”

Based in Attercliffe, NCEFE is a cutting-edge facility with a vision is to be internationally recognised for excellence in sustainable innovations for the global food system. 

Since its launch in 2019, the Centre has focused on tackling food industry challenges such as productivity and sustainability through minimising waste and reducing energy use and addressing the health agenda.

Professor Martin Howarth, Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering, said: “We were delighted to welcome Dame Julie to the Centre to demonstrate the significant impact we are making at a local, national, and international level.

“It was a pleasure to describe our work with the food and drink sector and demonstrate new technology that is driving sustainability and innovation.”

Dame Julie is an entrepreneur who founded the security manufacturing company Pyronix Limited. She is also chair of trustees of the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and is interim chair of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. She was installed as the 383^rd Master Cutler at a ceremony last month.