PUBLIC SECTOR: Food and Drink Federation boosts team

The Food and Drink Federation, whose members are currently in the spotlight thanks to a regular news diet of GM food and the British beef controversy, has boosted its PR team with the creation of three new posts. Kay Relph, a former assistant to MPs David Blunkett and Gillian Shepherd, has been poached to work alongside communications director Martin Paterson on campaigns and lobbying. Meanwhile, Paterson has boosted the press and parliamentary department, headed by Jackie Dowthwaite, with a further press officer, bringing the total up to three. A full-time editor for the trade body’s in-house magazine has also joined the communications department.