Damien Cleland

Damien Cleland is an experienced professional in food safety regulation and operational support. Currently serving as Team Lead at Hutt City Council since August 2021, Damien leads a team that empowers food businesses to maintain safety and quality standards. Previously, Damien held the position of Team Lead at the Ministry of Justice - New Zealand, focusing on operational support for front-line staff from April 2020 to September 2021. Damien's expertise also includes a significant tenure at the Ministry for Primary Industries as Specialist Adviser-Local Government Liaison, where guidance was provided to councils for implementing the Food Act, a major regulatory overhaul in New Zealand's food safety landscape. Earlier roles at the New Zealand Food Safety Authority involved supporting and managing export assurance programs, crucial for ensuring the safety of New Zealand's food production. Damien holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Hons in Biochemistry from Victoria University of Wellington, earned from 1989 to 1994.