About | challengerfoodsafety

About Us

We are a hands-on consultancy with a reputation for being personable, honest, and straight talking. We get to know and understand our clients and their teams. We take pride in doing a good job, being there when our clients need us and delivering 'good value' services. We also like a challenge! Contact us to find out how we can help you.

What We Do

We help new food businesses to become established, and we help existing businesses develop and grow. We train, guide, audit, advise, and support.

We help food businesses to comply with legislation and achieve consistently high standards; we provide workable solutions to the grey areas; and we help to take away your worries so that you can focus on what you do best - develop a successful business.

Our clients are happy with the service they receive, and consider us as part of their team (see our Clients page for testimonials).

Why businesses come to us

For reassurance that they are on the right track
To be prepared for enforcement inspections, resolve disputes, and provide environmental health officers with confidence
To find solutions to problems
For advice and guidance on technical matters
To achieve SALSA accreditations and top food hygiene ratings
They have heard of our successes elsewhere

Carl Challenger

Director & Lead Consultant

Carl is a real foodie. His passion for food goes back a long way - he has worked at the coal face in catering; organised food logistics for international expeditions; and been involved with cheese production. He worked for many years as an EHO in Local Government, is a voting member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), and has a NEBOSH diploma in Health and Safety Management.

Carl is a people person and, aside from anything food-related, he enjoys the great (and small) outdoors and has a soft spot for Central America (where he has spent considerable time travelling, working and learning Spanish). He lives in rural Sussex, but enjoys the hustle and bustle of town life.

Nicola Brooks

Food & Safety Consultant

Nicola is an experienced (25 years) environmental health officer by trade who specialises in food safety. Nicola

has worked both sides of the fence as a Technical Manager in the manufacturing sector for a number of years.

BRCGS professional qualified. Nicola is very experienced in auditing food businesses, from outdoor grassroots

traders at outdoor events to larger retailers and manufacturers

James Aldcroft

Specialist Trainer

James has worked with Challenger for many years now providing first aid at work, food hygiene, and health and safety related training courses. He has many years experience working within social care, health and safety and learning disability services, and is a frontline Paramedic with his local ambulance service. He is without doubt the most engaging and enthusiastic trainer around.

Suzanne Goss

Food & Safety Consultant

Suzanne joined the team in July 2018. She brings with her 30+ years working as a Technical Manager for a Sussex-based food manufacturer. She has extensive knowledge and experience of implementing HACCP systems, auditing, and problem solving - in fact there is very little she doesn't know! She also knows a lot about growing food, gardening, and keeping animals.

Gemma Fisher

Office Manager

Gemma brings seven years of experience in the food manufacturing sector, she plays a vital role behind the scenes. She is HACCP trained and oversees systems for SALSA audits, due diligence documentation, and staff training records, ensuring the business runs smoothly and meets industry standards. When she’s not at work, Gemma loves being outdoors, walking her dog, running, and spending time with her family and friends.

Get in Touch for Advice

Whether you’re starting a new food business or need support with food safety, health & safety, or training, we’re here to help. We offer free, no-obligation advice to guide you and answer any questions you may have.