Our Environmental Health course recently had an excellent guest lecture from industry expert Gary Welsh! Gary is the Head of Market Access Assurance at the Food Standards Agency (FSA). In his time in this role, he has led the development and implementation of new systems to assess, audit, and manage food safety risks associated with market access requests from trading partners looking to export high-risk foods into Great Britain. Gary has also created processes to ensure that countries exporting food to Great Britain have proper food safety procedures.
HE Curriculum Co-ordinator for Public & Environmental Health, Nahum spoke about the guest lecture saying: “This session offers students a unique opportunity to hear from someone directly involved in shaping national food policy and international trade arrangements in a post-Brexit landscape. Our Environmental Health students are building the knowledge base and critical understanding needed to contribute to this evolving policy environment – whether through work with the FSA, DEFRA, or local authorities safeguarding public health and food standards.”
Gary also spoke to learners about careers in the Civil Service and how Environmental Health graduates can bring expertise in food safety hazards, food law, and enforcement to government roles. These candidates are highly valued across government departments and agencies, including the FSA and DEFRA. This session helped to highlight for students how a degree in Environmental Health can open many doors, whether in the Civil Service, local government, the private sector, or the voluntary sector.
This guest speaker forms part of the Animal, Environment & Biological Studies Careers Excellence Hub. University Centre Weston’s Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners’ careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.
Find out more about BSc Public and Environmental Health and our BSc Environmental Health Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship here!
