Wednesday 1st September
MARY TURNER BECOMES HONORARY PRESIDENT OF THE BRITISH
DIETETIC ASSOCIATION
This is a critically important time
for all of us interested in keeping the importance of nutrition and
a healthy diet to the forefront of public debate says GMB
President
Below is the text of a press release sent out
today by the British Dietetic Association.
Trade Union
Giant Takes Up New Honourable Role
The British Dietetic Association (BDA) is
proud to announce that Mrs Mary Turner MBE has been named as the
association’s new Honorary President. Mary takes on this
acclaimed role from her predecessor, Dame Barbara Clayton.
The British Dietetic Association, founded
in 1936, is the professional association for registered dietitians
in Great Britainand Northern
Ireland. It is the nation’s largest organisation of food
and nutrition professionals with over 6,000 members.
As current President of the GMB, Mary has
had an illustrious career with the trade union movement throughout
her life and remains one of the UK’s most
powerful and influential women. She has also campaigned long
and hard for better school meals, having worked in this environment
first-hand. In addition, Mary attended this year’s BDA
conference in Aviemore,
Scotlandand will personally second a BDA motion at
this year’s Trade Union Congress Conference in
Manchesterin September on malnutrition.
During almost 30 years of trade union
activity, Mary progressed up the ranks, often beating the odds to
win numerous elected offices, until 1997 when she was formally
elected GMB President and has been re-elected to this office ever
since.
Speaking about her acceptance to become
the Honorary President of the BDA, Mary commented:
“I consider it a great honour that I have
been asked to take on this position, following on from almost half
a century of BDA Honorary Presidents from eminent
backgrounds.
“This is a critically important time for
all of us interested in keeping the importance of nutrition and a
healthy diet to the forefront of public debate.”
“Mary Turner will be a magnificent
addition to the BDA”, Andy Burman, Chief Executive Officer of the
BDA, added.
“One only has to read a fraction of her
accomplishments to know that Mary is not only a person to be
reckoned with, but is a powerful friend to have and someone who can
make things happen with the people that matter.
“In many ways, Mary is a perfect choice to
take on this role. Not only are her trade union credentials
second to none, but her commitment to health and nutrition is also
something that she is recognised throughout the country for
championing. I very much look forward to working with Mary in
the future.”
Mary’s hard work and commitment throughout
her working life was recognised in the 2010 New Year’s Honour’s
list and she was awarded the status of Member of the Order of
the British Empire(MBE).
Born in Thurles,
Tipperary, Mary moved to and grew up in Kilburn from
the age of 12. She is married to her husband Dennis and they
have two children, Denise and John, and four
grandchildren.
ENDS
For more information/interview
requests, please contact the BDA Press Office on 0870 850
2517
Notes to the
Editor:
·
Registered dietitians are the only qualified health
professionals that assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition
problems at an individual and wider public health level. Uniquely,
dietitians use the most up to date public health and scientific
research on food, health and disease, which they translate into
practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle
and food choices.
·
Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be
statutorily regulated, and governed by an ethical code, to ensure
that they always work to the highest standard. Dietitians work in
the NHS, private practice, industry, education, research, sport,
media, public relations, publishing, Non Government Organisations
and government. Their advice influences food and health policy
across the spectrum from government, local communities and
individuals.
·
Visit the BDA website at http://www.bda.uk.com/
· GMB
is a general union which means anyone who works for a living can
join and have access to volunteer Workplace Organisers (20,000
UK-wide) who aim to protect the employment rights of the 610,000
GMB members across the UK. Visit http://www.gmb.org.uk/