NEWSROOM
Graduate takes on CEO role at The FoodBowl
A graduate of the Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s flagship programme has secured the role as CEO of The FoodBowl, which is part of the New Zealand Food Innovation Network.
Alexandra Allan completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship (PGCert) in 2014 and now heads a team of 14 people at The FoodBowl, a multi-million dollar facility that enables and accelerates the development and commercialisation of value added food and beverage products through facilitating new product and process development.
Based near Auckland Airport, it’s the only place of its kind in New Zealand where established companies, start-ups and entrepreneurial chefs can all test, refine and validate their production processes in a low-risk environment before commercialisation and export.
Alexandra started working at The FoodBowl part-way through the PGCert programme, and says she draws on the learnings often.
“I actually pulled out my books the other night – we’re doing some work around minimising time wasting, and also aligning our mission with our strategic goals.
“The work we did around helping clients with the commercialisation process has been invaluable, as well as the financial and legal parts of the programme.”
Alex says the diversity of her classmates provided a collaborative environment for discussion.
“Everyone felt comfortable sharing their views, and we all got a good perspective on things as everyone comes at it from different angle.”
Alex followed her passion for food by completing a BSc in Food Science and BCApSc in Human Nutrition at Otago University after finishing secondary school, and has been working in research and development in the food industry ever since.
Previously, she developed confectionery products at Cadbury, early life nutrition products at Nutricia New Zealand, and worked as Technical Manager for Horleys sports nutrition.
Alexandra Allan has secured the role as CEO of The FoodBowl.
Alexandra Allan has secured the role as CEO of The FoodBowl.
A graduate of the Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s flagship programme has secured the role as CEO of The FoodBowl, which is part of the New Zealand Food Innovation Network.
Alexandra Allan completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship (PGCert) in 2014 and now heads a team of 14 people at The FoodBowl, a multi-million dollar facility that enables and accelerates the development and commercialisation of value added food and beverage products through facilitating new product and process development.
Based near Auckland Airport, it’s the only place of its kind in New Zealand where established companies, start-ups and entrepreneurial chefs can all test, refine and validate their production processes in a low-risk environment before commercialisation and export.
Alexandra started working at The FoodBowl part-way through the PGCert programme, and says she draws on the learnings often.
“I actually pulled out my books the other night – we’re doing some work around minimising time wasting, and also aligning our mission with our strategic goals.
“The work we did around helping clients with the commercialisation process has been invaluable, as well as the financial and legal parts of the programme.”
Alex says the diversity of her classmates provided a collaborative environment for discussion.
“Everyone felt comfortable sharing their views, and we all got a good perspective on things as everyone comes at it from different angle.”
Alex followed her passion for food by completing a BSc in Food Science and BCApSc in Human Nutrition at Otago University after finishing secondary school, and has been working in research and development in the food industry ever since.
Previously, she developed confectionery products at Cadbury, early life nutrition products at Nutricia New Zealand, and worked as Technical Manager for Horleys sports nutrition.
EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
POSTAL ADDRESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
PRIVATE BAG 92019, AUCKLAND
