Emma Coates - Chair
Emma is a Registered Dietitian with clinical and industry experience.
She is the current Head of Governance and Quality at Nualtra Ltd, and Editor for NHD Magazine. In her clinical practice, she enjoyed roles as a graduate RD at the Countess of Chester Hospital gaining adult dietetic experience, and later specialising as a paediatric RD at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, North Wales. Emma moved into the medical nutrition industry around 10 years ago, taking her first role at Dr Schar, working with low protein foods and protein substitutes; aiming to expand and improve the prescribed product options available for those with inborn errors of metabolism.
During her time at Nualtra Ltd, Emma has supported and regulated the development of Foods For Special Medical Purposes and Total Diet Replacement products in her previous Medical Affairs and Regulatory Manager role. She now leads on quality management and governance across the Nualtra Ltd business supporting the company’s aim to improve choice, quality and value for those who require these products.
Emma has been part of the BDA industry Specialist Group since it was launched in 2023, initially holding the Secretary role and becoming Chair in 2025. She is keen to raise the profile of dietitians and nutritionists working in the food and drink sector; supporting those who are interested in industry based roles. She also encourages students to explore non-clinical roles and working in industry.
Corrine Toyn - Vice Chair
Corrine is a Registered Dietitian and founder of Chickpea Marketing, a marketing and nutrition consultancy on a mission to grow healthy food, drink and wellness brands.
Corrine has worked in the food and drink industry for 7 years within marketing and scientific communications, previously working for Abbott, M&S and Benecol.
She utilises her dietetic insight to help brands connect with health-conscious consumers and champion evidence-based nutrition through the power of marketing.
Corrine is also passionate about raising the profile of dietitians and nutritionists working in the food and drink industry and set up the British Dietetic Association Industry Specialist Group in 2023.
Imogen McKenzie Watson - Treasurer
Following graduation as a registered dietitian, Imogen went to work for the NHS, where she spent 10 years, specialising in the field of nutrition support. This involved providing nutritional expertise in several different clinical areas such as ICU and oncology. Imogen also spent 6 years working as a Home Enteral Feeding dietitian.
Imogen now works for Abbott, a medical nutrition company, as a Head of Medical & Scientific Affairs. In this role she provides scientific support and shares her clinical knowledge with colleagues, as well as managing the Medical Affairs team.
She is a member of the BDA, and is also a member of several of the specialist groups of the BDA. Imogen was the Secretary for the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) Education and Training Committee (2013-2017) and treasurer for the BDA Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Group (2016-2021).
Kaitlyn Black - Secretary
Kaitlyn is a final-year Nutrition and Dietetics student at the University of Chester, with over a decade of experience as a trained chef.
She is passionate about bridging the gap between culinary practice and nutritional science, aiming to develop innovative, balanced food solutions within the industry.
As a Student Ambassador for the ISG, Kaitlyn has supported social media initiatives and contributed to the student placement project.
She was recently appointed ISG Secretary and looks forward to supporting the group's continued development as a valuable resource for dietitians working in industry.
Harriet Smith - Engagement Officer
Harriet is an award-winning registered dietitian with a background in medical writing, Harriet spotted a gap in the market to provide expert, evidence-based, nutrition marketing content. In 2019, this specialist niche saw her launch a medical communications agency specialising in nutrition.
Her business, HRS Communications, offers a full-service approach and is led by a team of marketing and nutrition specialists. In 2022, Harriet was shortlisted as a ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Finalist in the StartUp Awards National Series.
Ellie Bain - Social Media & Web Officer
Ellie is a registered dietitian working in workplace wellbeing at ISS. In this role she is responsible for ensuring the corporate catering options are nutritious and balanced across all sites, using nutrition to maximise productivity and connectivity in teams whilst improving health outcomes. This includes horizon scanning and marketing research, setting recipe development guidelines for new ranges and reformulation (of recipes and ingredients), setting menu targets, approving health claims and marketing, nutritional analysis and influencing menu merchandising to encourage uptakes.
Ellie has previous experience at recipe box company Gousto as Senior Nutritionist and Healthy & Sustainable Diets Manager at Sainsbury’s. Ellie always knew she didn’t want to work clinically and joined Gousto as an intern straight after university and has remained in the food industry since.
She is passionate about making it easier for everyone to eat a healthy and sustainable diet and dispelling the multitude of myths that make it inaccessible and overcomplicated for so many. Alongside her full time role she has recently completed an MSc in Food Policy to learn how to drive systems change to have a wider influence on the health of the population.
Effie Papada – Student Placement Officer
Effie is the Programme Lead for MSc Dietetics at UCL and a Lecturer in Nutrition at UCL’s Division of Medicine. She completed her PhD in Greece investigating the effects of phytochemicals on gut health and inflammation.
Then she continued her postdoctoral research in Germany, Spain and the UK across several multidisciplinary teams developing a strong academic and research background, specialising in molecular nutrition, bioactive dietary compounds, and the gastrointestinal system—from bench to bedside.
She is passionate about teaching the next generation of Dietitians and Nutrition professionals through evidence-based education and curriculum innovation. Efstathia has joined the Industry Specialist group to help expand the partnerships between academia and industry and to increase placement opportunities for dietetic students in the industry.
Patille Madaghjian - Events Officer
Patille is a US and UK Registered Dietitian and a Science Specialist at Holland & Barrett.
Her educational and professional background is a very international one, having studied in Beirut and London and worked in hospitals in Lebanon and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. After working abroad as a clinical dietitian for the past 5 years, Patille returned to London and transitioned into industry with Holland & Barrett.
Along with the Science Team, she supports science-led initiatives that place nutrition at the centre. In her current role, Patille reviews scientific evidence for different ingredients, substantiates health claims, and recommends ingredients for product innovation and development. She also supports internal and external communications across diverse audiences.
Newly appointed as Events Officer in the BDA Industry Group, Patille is looking forward to connecting with dietitians working in industry. She is deeply committed to continuous professional development and staying at the forefront of nutritional science, through regularly attending conferences and webinars, actively networking with fellow nutritionists and dietitians, and keeping up with the latest research and trends shaping the food industry.
Maia Fergus-O’Grady - Sponsorship officer
Maia is a Registered Dietitian and a Category Manager for B2B product ranges produced by Apetito UK.
Maia has a breadth of experience working across various clinical, product development, and commercial settings, with some of Maia’s previous experience including article contributions to nutrition and healthcare magazines, and working as the dietetic lead on various product development projects.
In her current role, Maia is responsible for driving growth of product ranges feeding those in hospitals, care homes and schools, using her dietetic knowledge and expertise to influence overall strategic objectives and long-term growth of the business.
As the Sponsorship Officer for the BDA Industry Specialist Group, Maia is looking forward to connecting with fellow dietitians in industry, sharing her passion of raising awareness of this emerging realm of dietetics, and continuing to highlight the impact dietitians can ultimately have on the overall shape of the food industry.
Kate Harrington - Content & Research Officer
Kate is a Registered Dietitian and Senior Diet and Health Executive at the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
In her role, she supports the development and promotion of industry policy on diet, health and nutrition. Her key areas of focus include healthier product innovation and the new UK food strategy. This involves working closely with FDF members (large companies through to innovative start-ups) and external stakeholders to develop a strategy that showcases industry progress and reflects FDF member views.
Kate also has experience in PR / Communications, working with a range of clients in the food industry and healthcare space.
Carolina Tato – Student Ambassador
Carolina is a Dietetics MSc student at UCL and the founder of a vegan ready-meal company based in Italy, where she leads research, product development, and content creation.
She holds an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science from KCL. Carolina joined the ISG as a Student Volunteer to explore the many ways in which dietitians can positively impact consumer health beyond the clinical setting and to connect with others who are shaping the future of nutrition through innovation in industry.