Louise Mackintosh, Managing Director of award-winning raw dog food manufacturer Poppy’s Picnic, has been appointed Vice Chair of the Pet Food Manufacturing Association’s Communications Committee.

Louise, who lives in Bristol, will in her new role be supporting the Chair of the Communications Committee, Kellie Ceccarelli from the global pet group, Spectrum. Louise will be attending and facilitating Committee meetings and, as required, acting as the Communications Representative at the Executive Committee. She will also support the PFMA Executive Team with media responses and decisions. As this is such a large and busy group, there is also another Co-Vice Chair, Laura Vallance of Purina.

With nearly 20 years experience working as a Brand Communications Specialist for some of the top PR, marketing and events agencies in the UK, Louise brings a wealth of experience to her new role. During her career she has worked on global brands such as Diageo, Powergen, Anadin, Birds Eye, Captain Birds Eye, AVIS, Kellogg's, Wickes, Disney,  Hamleys, Tesco,  CafeDirect, mysupermarket and Twinings.

Alongside Poppy’s Picnic founder, Dylan Watkins, Louise also represents Poppy’s Picnic on the PFMA Raw Producers Group. This group was set up to accommodate the growing appetite for raw pet food and to ensure best practice within the industry.

The group’s other aim is to provide professional support and communications to any pet owners wishing to feed their cats and dogs a raw diet helping to normalise this way of feeding pets.

Louise said: “I am absolutely honoured to be given this position on the Communications Committee with the PFMA. It is extremely rewarding to work with other colleagues who all come from such diverse sectors of the pet food industry to work for the common good- the well being of our pets.

"Our aim is to ensure best practice within the industry and to further improve the standards and quality of pet food. Our aim is also to ensure that all pet owners are given the correct advice and support so that they can feed their pets the best possible diet.”

For more information on Poppy’s Picnic fresh raw dog food visit www.poppyspicnic.co.uk