Our expert panel – Caryl Richards

Having graduated from Leeds University in 1976 with a BSc in Food Science, Caryl joined the Research & Development Division of Cadbury's Schweppes in North London on an accelerated management training programme in Food Research and Technology, New Product Development and Marketing.

During her 12 years in the food industry she worked in and headed a number of technical teams responsible for Food and Drink developments in the UK and overseas, her final appointment being International Product Development Manager for Schweppes International Ltd.

Following a career break to start a family, Caryl joined Slimming World as a member in 1991. She very quickly became a Slimming World Consultant, running a group in her home town of Peterborough while developing Women Back to Work initiatives for Greater Peterborough Training and Enterprise Council. She was promoted through Slimming World's field management structure to her current position of Managing Director, which she has held since 2001.

She has first hand experience of the problems of overweight and broad experience of implementing weight management services at local, regional and national levels. She has developed and delivered recruitment and training programmes for the 2500 slimming World Consultants who operate the 5500 slimming groups in local communities across the UK and for the 200 team managers and 40 senior managers whose role it is to monitor service levels and to further develop the skills of the Consultants in their geographic area. This work includes development and implementation of advanced cognitive therapy techniques in helping slimmers make the significant changes necessary to lose weight successfully and develop sustainable healthy, active lifestyles.

Caryl develops Slimming World policy in line with Government guidelines and latest research findings in the field of obesity, its psychology and its treatment (much of which is funded by Slimming World) and implements programmes in key commercial and public health areas such as Slimming on Referral through the NHS, development and dissemination of a data base of 40000 branded food products according to their nutrition profile in relation to weight management, supermarket guides to provide information to slimmers and help them make healthier choices when shopping, cooking and eating. Slimming world is the only national weight management organisation to have developed policies for children and pregnant women and Slimming World was the first (over 30 years ago) to base their healthy eating programme for slimmers on individual choice without the need for obsessive calorie counting, food supplements or meal replacements of any sort. The programmes are based on everyday healthy foods and exercise routines with a practical family-friendly approach to help shift the balance towards a healthier lifestyle for all the family.

Caryl is personally and directly involved in working to develop a cohesive approach between Slimming World, primary care organisations, public health policy makers, researchers and specialists in obesity and nutrition, food manufacturers and food retailers.

"We know that we wouldn’t be helping people long-term if they could visit the site, pick up a diet sheet and go it alone. To succeed a member must have a level of continuing determination, understanding and commitment. This is the bodyOptimise difference - we support members throughout their campaign, over an extended period of time, to make it lasting and effective."