Louise Robert, Alimenti Food Sciences

Louise Roberts set up Alimenti Food Sciences in 2016 and offers technical consultancy to small food and drink businesses focusing on food safety, supplier management, audits and coaching / training.

Louise has attended a range of FasterBusiness training sessions and had a one-to-one Business Review with FasterBusiness advisor, Jack McCaughtrie.

Why did you start Alimenti Food Services?

“Originally I trained as a microbiologist, but I left the laboratory for the factory floor. Through my career I built up a great deal of experience; working in technical management and quality assurance, as a lead for the food buying team, liaising with food and drink suppliers, retailers, manufacturers and clients such as the MoD. I have also contributed towards technical handbooks writing about using rapid hygiene monitoring techniques for manufacturers and other food businesses.

It was in my last corporate role I worked alongside small food and drink producers, coaching them through the approval process. I really enjoyed the collaboration and saw an opportunity to launch this as my own business, using my knowledge and passion for the food industry.

“It is my understanding that “Alimenti” is Italian for feed or nourish and my objective is to support small food & drink business to grow.”

How did you hear about the FasterBusiness support programme?

“I met a member of the Fastershire team at the Hereford Means Business Expo in May 2017 and I began attending the monthly workshops shortly afterwards.”

How has the training and support provided by FasterBusiness helped you?

“The monthly training workshops have been incredible, as a relatively new business it’s been great to have a regular source of free training and networking to tap into. I’ve attended a range of sessions, including SEO, online marketing, blogging and social media and they’ve been really useful in developing the business.

The networking lunches at the beginning of each workshop have also allowed me to meet other small local businesses as well as new suppliers and potential clients.

The FasterBusiness Review has been especially useful, having free tailored one-to-one time with expert has really expanded my IT skillset. I met with FasterBusiness advisor, Jack McCaughtrie and at that time I needed some help getting started. Jack showed me how to set up Office 365 and enable clients to access a virtual portal, Sharepoint, and an email marketing service, embedding code into my website to allow visitors to sign up for my newsletter.”

What does the future hold for you and Alimenti?

“As my social media expertise has developed, and in part due to the support from FasterBusiness, I was inspired to start my own Twitter Hour. I launched #UKFoodHour in September 2017 and it takes place every Tuesday from 2-3pm. It’s intended to celebrate all that is great about the UK food industry. We have some of the best animal welfare and food safety standards in the world alongside the quality of the food that we produce. It is intended to be a networking opportunity for everyone involved in the food industry, from farm to fork.”

You can find out more about Louise’s business at www.alimenti.co.uk and join #UKFoodHour every Tuesday from 2-3pm.

For more information about the training and support provided by FasterBusiness, please click here.