Nominees

• Christine Bense, former plant director, Kraft Foods Banbury
• Ranjit Boparan, chief executive, Boparan Holdings
• Geoff Eaton, former md, Uniq
• Joe Franses, head of corporate responsibility and sustainability, Coca-Cola Enterprises
• John Tague, former md, Seabrook Crisps
• Brian Young, director general, British Frozen Food Federation

Winner: Christine Bense, former plant director, Kraft Foods Banbury

Kraft Foods' former plant director for its Banbury coffee plant is, without doubt, a rising star. And this has been recognised by the readers of Food Manufacture, who voted for her to receive this prestigious award. Bense was instrumental in getting staff at Banbury to embrace the huge challenges facing them. She presided over major changes to raise productivity and introduce environmental improvements. The reason that she was not present on the evening to receive her award is that her many achievements have been rewarded by her employer, which has now whisked her off to spread her magic at another Kraft plant in the US. However, Bense sent a video message to express her joy at receiving such recognition and thank her former colleagues for their support in bringing about the advances she was able to achieve.