Decades of service in food & health safety: Auditing Solutions
After 30 years responsible for the administration and finance at leading New Zealand food safety companies, Gail Shaw is relishing retirement.
A multi-skilled service provider, Food & Health + Auditing Solutions manages clients and contracts across environmental health, food act verifications, alcohol licensing, drinking water and more with one goal: to ensure what New Zealanders consume is 100% safe. Guaranteeing the food of hundreds of suppliers meets safety standards is a massive undertaking, and Gail’s efficiency behind the scenes is to be commended for consistently smooth success. The team say her ambition and effort have been “vital”.
She shares how proud she’s felt watching her team develop over the years, growing into their roles and exceeding expectations. Gail calls herself a social worker, mentor, and second mother to her staff.
“We pride ourselves in our close family culture,” Gail explains. That philosophy has proven beneficial, noting the confidence and security it gives staff in spreading their wings at work. Some staff span decades at the company, a promising reflection of that team environment. She leaves behind what she’s most proud of: an administration department she built from the ground up. In the early days, Gail managed both finance and administration solely, to then lead an eight-strong team.
Gail and business partner Ian Shaw pioneered the business 30 years ago, building relationships with big players along the way such as Food Stuffs South Island and PAK’nSAVE Group. Auditing Solutions grew to manage verifications, auditing, supplier programme assessments, and oversee environmental health and drinking water for 15 district councils nationwide. The company stood strong amongst earthquakes, relocations, and key customers closing down.
A strong and reputable company, with an equally dynamic team, Ian and Gail were approached in 2023 to sell the company to an overseas buyer. To protect their staff, customers, and the Kiwi values the business was raised on, Ian and Gail sought instead a New Zealand-owned company to acquire the shares. Ian and Gail wish new shareholders Jonno Hill, and Hill Laboratories’ Sam and wife Emily every success in “continuing the legacy”.
Decades committed to a job she loved dearly meant Gail had to sacrifice other passions: family, travelling, hobbies. “I will miss coming to work each day and seeing my second family,” yet Gail is looking forward to pursuing those long-lost interests. While she sets her sights on leisurely adventures, the personnel and operations within Food & Health Standards + Auditing Solutions remain the same – offering new opportunities to fill her shoes.
