The Fresh Produce Consortium has bolstered its team with two new hires.
Cristina Melenchon has joined the trade body as events manager, with Jenny Palmer becoming membership manager.
Melenchon will be tasked with managing the FPC's Fresh Awards, as well as developing a new programme of events, workshops and other activities for members.
She previously worked as events manager at publishers Bauer Media, where she organised various types of events in the rail industry including awards, exhibitions, conferences and membership club events.
Prior to that she spent 15 years as a freelance marketing consultant in the events industry and has worked with both large corporate organisers as well as small entrepreneurial start-ups. Her role covered industries including automotive, IT, containerisation, energy, construction, horticulture and retail.
Melenchon has a degree in European languages and institutions and speaks fluent Spanish, along with conversational Italian and French.
Palmer, meanwhile, will be liaising with FPC members to support their business and develop new relationships across the fresh fruit, vegetable and cut flower sectors.
She studied commercial horticulture, floristry and flower production at The Welsh College and began her career working as a florist in London.
In 1997 she moved to an FMCG role in flowers, where she was responsible for procurement of cut flowers from British and international growers. Moving on she worked as a specialist horticulture buyer at Waitrose, focusing on the development of its peak event ranges across flowers, plants and added-value gift ranges.
In 2004 Palmer relocated to the Netherlands, and then the US, where she continued to work in commercial roles in the flower industry within the arena of the multiples and mass-market retailers. Since returning to the UK in 2010 she has set up a consultancy in horticulture and worked in buying and sales for one of the UK’s largest online gardening retailers.
“We’re delighted to have Cristina and Jenny join the FPC team,' said chief executive Nigel Jenney. 'With their valuable skills and experience FPC is set to strengthen links with members and develop a tailored portfolio of events.
“It’s essential that we focus our activities to meet the needs of our members and continue to support their business through challenging times. Cristina and Jenny will complement the team’s lobbying activities, regulatory and technical advice.”
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