I’m Phil Shaw, MD of Integworld. Welcome to my first blog post.
I want to use it to tell you a little about how I can help you.
I’ve spent more than 40 years in the food industry advising on safety and quality.
I’ve worked at a senior level for major retailers, manufacturers and in the global supply chain.
Now I want to use what I’ve learned to help small food businesses flourish and grow.

Why?
Some of the most passionate, switched-on people I’ve ever worked with have been owners of small food businesses.

And we’ve all been a bit more appreciative of what they do these past couple of years.

We’ve crossed our fingers, hoping that our favourite local eatery would survive months of enforced closure.

We’ve been grateful for the local café going ‘takeaway’ to keep our morale up with tasty, locally-sourced treats.

And we’ve applauded the businesses that went above and beyond supporting the most vulnerable with free meals.

It’s not always easy navigating the world of food safety legislation. It’s just one of many things small food businesses have to think about, even without Brexit, COVID-19, and market uncertainties exacerbated by the terrible situation in Ukraine.

If you’re a food SME, I can help you understand what you need to do to be food safety compliant and meet consumer expectations on quality and sourcing.

Through my blog, I will offer (what I hope will be!) valuable insights, tips and relevant industry updates.

I will also detail the journey of small food businesses I’m currently supporting. What better way to be inspired and learn than hearing the stories of others going through what you are?

So why me as your food safety consultant?

Yes, I can answer some simple questions on legislation, cut through the red tape and demystify the jargon.

But I offer more than the transactional. I go beyond science and compliance.

I can give you the confidence and reassurance to start up or expand your food business when you’re tempted to shy away from your dream because it all seems too complicated.

I can be your critical friend, looking at what’s not working, developing a strategy with you to put you back on track.

I can be the buffer between you and enforcement if they come knocking.

While I am a food safety consultant, I don’t like the term. It’s impersonal and racks up the ££££ in clients’ minds.

I don’t have a rate card. You don’t pay me by the hour. I take the time to thoroughly understand your business and what you need, and I mould myself to you.

I don’t take plans off the shelf. We will work together to develop excellent solutions.

I’m always at the end of the phone or a drive away.

I may not put money in your till, but I’ll help you defend what’s in it by making sure you’re protecting and delighting your customers and consumers.

In short, I’m a bloke who knows his stuff. My industry and life experience can help you not only be a food-safe business but an all-around successful one.

I look forward to sharing my experiences with you in the coming weeks and months.

If you have any ideas about topics you’d like covered or have any questions, get in touch!