People

As an avid runner, Thomas is determined to chase down big food companies and hold them accountable for their use of cruel and clever marketing tactics. “It angers me how these companies target young people in our towns, in our cities, on our way to school and in shops and at bus stations, we get no break!” Thomas says, a true Bactivist speeding ahead on a path to challenge the status quo.

Ollie stands for justice, whether through studying criminology and law at college, or through a passion for raising awareness for autism and other hidden disabilities. "The fact that young people find themselves worrying more about if they have enough for lunch than their lessons angers me most about the food system," Ollie says, taking a break from books and banging music to share some wise words.

While working at Scope, the equality charity for disabled people, Carlotta developed an interest in accessible design – and she brings extensive experience from her Masters in Ethnographic and Documentary Filmmaking to Bite Back's visual content. "I cannot wait for a day where I can leave my house and not feel constant pressure from junk food giants to eat their food," she says. "If we replaced junk food ads with beautiful art, wouldn't our streets look a lot better?"

After collaborating with Bite Back in her previous role at the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA), Caroline saw the power of youth voices to get political attention. Before the OHA she worked on the Department of Health's first childhood obesity plan, and led various campaigns for Cancer Research UK. "The incessant bombardment of marketing glorifies and normalises unhealthy food for every possible eating occasion," she says. "Healthy food should be accessible, affordable and rightly recognised as delicious.

With eight years' experience in public affairs, Ayesha has previously worked at ACCA, the NUS, and Macmillan Cancer Support. At Bite Back, she builds and maintains relationships with MPs and Government officials, lobbying for effective policy change. "Ever since I was little, big junk food companies have always been present," she says. "Over time this has had a massive effect on the types of food I eat. At Bite Back I had my 'penny drop moment': now I'm constantly questioning clever advertising tricks."

With an MSc in International Development, Sara has worked in INGOs – focusing on child protection and development. She supports our team to keep everything running smoothly. "Food giants trick us into believing their products are good for you," she says. "Supermarkets are flooded with junk, strategically placed to attract your attention. Markets are more my thing – but I still need to go to the supermarket, and it's always a struggle to feel at ease there."

Sam has campaigned to end factory farming, invest in social housing, and tackle climate change with a nature-based approach. He played a key part in CPRE's successful campaign to end fracking in the UK. Sam's amazing dog Rummi, meanwhile, likes eating, running and sleeping. "When low price is the goal, everything else becomes less important," says Sam. "Cheap, unhealthy food is produced in a way that abuses animals and has no regard for human health and the environment."

After a 15-year career as a BBC presenter, Nicki went on to hold various senior leadership roles – including Chief Communications Officer at education charity Achievement for All. She leads all Bite Back's external relationships. "Supermarkets have always been a battleground where consumers are manipulated – and in the worst instances, deliberately exploited – by clever, enticing and colourful packaging and promotions. How different would it be if healthy options were the stars of the supermarket shelves?"

Nabeeha believes young people have the power to create real change in the food system – and leverages an impressive Instagram following to help spread the word. "There's no honest labelling on food. Children are attracted to food with colourful cartoon packaging – and those food products tend to be filled with excessive amounts of sugar," says the Birmingham-based campaigner, who moved to the UK from Pakistan in 2019. "I'd like to see a world where we aren't brainwashed by junk food ads."

Having dedicated her career to campaigning for social causes – from reproductive health to a clean energy transition – Beth has worked with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WaterAid, UNHCR and the Jamie Oliver Group to mobilise the public and influence policymakers. "Our broken food system makes life harder for children and families who are already struggling," she says. "Evidence shows that junk food advertising is targeted more heavily at people in lower socioeconomic groups and healthy options are harder to come by in low-income areas. It's outrageous and unjust."

With a passion for physical health, especially football and running, James joined Bite Back to help young people build a healthier, more fulfilling relationship with the food system. "It should be an even playing field. Each city's children should not have disproportionate access to nutritious food," says the Liverpool-based activist. "Starting university, it feels like I have more contact hours with junk food companies than I do my lecturers. From freshers' fair freebies to leaflets piled at my door, I still feel the cycle of constant manipulation."