BDA Press Centre
1st September 2010
Honourable Role for Trade Union Giant
The British Dietetic Association 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.
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, Scotland and will personally second a BDA motion on malnutrition at this year’s Trade Union Congress Conference in Manchester this month.
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 Thurless, 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.