2 Sisters boss scoops IoD lifetime achievement award
Lord Allen, who was created a life peer in 2013, picked up the honour at the IoD Director of the Year Awards, which were held at London’s Lancaster hotel last week.
Previously, he has held chief executive positions at ITV, Granada Group, Granada Media and Compass Group – and was chairman of Forte Group, EMI and Endemol.
Other prior posts include non-executive director positions at numerous businesses, including Tesco, Virgin Media and Get A/S – a Norwegian cable company.
Allen has also been involved with Business in the Community and social projects throughout his career, most notably as vice chairman for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic bid.
Further third sector work includes his role as chairman of Race for Opportunity, a business initiative focused on increasing awareness of ethnic issues in business. The initiative was acknowledged for playing a leading role in the diversity agenda at Tesco.
Poultry spend
Last week, 2 Sisters announced a £150M investment in its poultry business and £55M in its meal solutions division.
The company, which is owned by Birmingham-based Boparan Holdings, also reported a like-for-like sales decline of 20.3%, to £22.8M, for the three months to August 1 2015.
Allen said: “I am honoured and privileged to receive this award and would like to thank the many people over the years who supported and helped shape my career.”
Simon Walker, director general of the IoD, said that Lord Allen is an example to all businesses of great leadership.
Food manufacturing and retailing IoD Award winners:
- 2 Sisters Group
- Moy Park
- Ramsden International
He explained: “As an organisation for business leaders, we know that good governance and ethical and innovative leadership are the foundations of a successful company.”
Walker added: “This year’s winners, and more specifically Lord Allen of Kensington CBE, embody these principles, and display the hard-nosed business acumen and commercial drive needed to produce great products and world-leading services.”
IoD Awards
With more than 80 company directors nominated, the IoD Director of the Year Awards recognise the best in business leadership across big corporates, small businesses, the public sector and charities.
Other winners included Mike Mullan – Europe HR director of Moy Park Northern Ireland – who picked up the Leadership in Corporate Responsibility Award.
Ramsden International chief executive Sean Ramsden, meanwhile, won highly commended in both Overall Director and Family Director of the Year categories.
The Lancaster hotel is also the venue for the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards tomorrow night.
For more information about the Oscars of the food industry and drink industry, click here.
