Inside food & drink manufacturing
From the boom-and-bust cycle of protein products to the impact of weight loss jabs, the sector is being reshaped faster than ever before. But what does this mean for business leaders and investors?
This year’s Business Leaders’ Forum saw Food Manufacture joined by Lumina Intelligence for an exclusive trends presentation. Here are the key takeaways.
Ahead of the Food Manufacture Business Leaders’ Forum, we caught up with food industry expert and chair for the next session, Helen Sisson, to explore the challenges and opportunities that demand leaders’ attention.
Food Manufacture’s next Business Leaders’ Forum is fast approaching - here’s your chance to meet the chair, find out about the agenda, and grab your ticket.
In a country where diet-related illness costs the NHS billions each year, it’s astonishing that a more thorough food education is still not mandatory in UK primary schools, writes Ricky Flax, CEO of Delightful Food Group.
The chief medical officer for England has described the solutions set out by UK Government as unfit for purpose, as he highlights the need to look at obesity at a geographical level.
In an industry known for high turnover, tight margins and relentless pressure to innovate, food and beverage manufacturers are increasingly turning to a transformative model: the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
The last year has seen a flurry of acquisition deals, with several bigger firms snapping up successful challenger and smaller brands.
Supermarkets need to prioritise sustainability and accept when this costs more, writes Nick Behari, country manager UK & IE for Vion Food UK Ltd.
Last month’s Business Leaders’ Forum gave way to a whole-room discussion between the entire value chain, with AI top of mind.
From navigating food recalls and factory safety, to the role of artificial intelligence, Food Manufacture’s most recent Business Leaders’ Forum brought together leaders to share their lessons and discuss how to prepare for a more resilient and safer...
George Taylor, CEO of Frive, reveals how his business bounced back from stagnation, rebuilt its systems and is on track to generate £60M in revenue.
Earlier this year Cranswick suspended one of its farms following undercover footage which showed piglets being killed using an illegal method.
Ros Heathcote, founder of Borough Broth, discusses the reasoning behind her company’s packaging choices and the frustrations felt by SMEs.
Alec Kyriakides reflects on the most recent Food Manufacture Business Leader’s Forum, pinpointing key topics, stats and takeaways, just months ahead of the next meeting in June 2025.
February 13th 2025 saw our annual Business Leaders’ Forum return for another day of vibrant conversation. Among the topics discussed was mental health and well-being, with delegates sharing personal stories, challenges and improvements we can make in the...
Leo Campbell shares his insights on the ultra processed food debate – a topic he and his team have been rethinking behind closed laboratory doors for the last 6 years.
With staff shortages and recruitment struggles a growing concern for food and drink manufacturers, our recent Business Leaders’ Forum gave way to discussion around why we’re still experiencing challenges and, importantly, how we can solve the skills gap.
David Young, partner at law firm Addleshaw Goddard, outlines the key issues that will dominate the agenda for food manufacturers in the coming year.
Ramona Hazan shares the key lessons she took from scaling up her business from a start-up in her kitchen into the UK’s no. 1 branded houmous.
The Hurun Research Institute has published its 2024 Hurun UK Under 30s list showcasing outstanding young entrepreneurs in the UK.
News
2 Sisters owner Ranjit Singh Boparan, NFU president Tom Bradshaw, and Country Land and Business Association deputy president Gavin Lane slam Autumn Budget’s raid on businesses.
Short read
Food Manufacture’s annual Business Leaders’ Forum has become a must-attend for food and drink industry experts – but as an invite-only event, how do you get on the guestlist?
News
The European bakery products manufacturer witnessed a rise in both revenue and gross profit in 2023, representing sustainable growth since its separation from CSM three years ago.
Short read
Entering a competition can be daunting – questions such as ‘am I good enough to stand out’ and ‘how and where do I even start my entry’ may flit across your mind – but if you’re keen to enter, you absolutely should!
The Talent Poole
Nothing stretches and tests a leader more than being faced with a crisis. And food, perhaps more than any other sector, has the potential to throw up some pretty significant crises to challenge the very best of leaders. Sharing his experiences this...
News
The Italian dairy manufacturer’s uptick in its 2023 turnover from 2022 has been mostly generated aboard, with the UK among one of the biggest importers for Italian cheeses.
News
Whether you're a start-up or an industry leader, the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards invite food and drink processors to showcase their capabilities and celebrate the efforts and achievements of their companies and teams. Here, we summarise each of...
Short read
While 30% of companies recognise that having a succession plan in place is important, fewer than 1 in 10 have one fully integrated into their strategy, recent research from the Azets Barometer found.
News
The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards (FMEA) is now open for entries, with 15 categories up for grabs, including one new accolade – the Health Hero Award.
Food Manufacture Podcast
Pip & Nut founder Pip Murray talks marathon running, women in food and drink and palm oil-free peanut butter in the latest episode of the Food Manufacture Podcast.
News
Nestlé’s overall organic growth for the first half of 2024 was 2.1%, with real internal growth (RIG) strengthening in the second quarter of the year. Here's some of the topline figures...
News
Seaweed Enterprises is rebranding under the new name of House of Seaweed, as it sets its sights on becoming a leading trade processing hub for the algae.
News
Food and non-alcoholic drink inflation has seen another drop, falling from 1.7% in May to 1.5% in June 2024, but cost pressures still have a firm grip on the sector.
News
The premium gin brand has appointed a new distributor following the decision to end its agreement with Proximo UK after three years, alongside making another senior appointment.
News
The UK’s fastest-growing meat-free brand in retail has seen a leadership shuffle, as Elin Roberts joins Chris Kong as co-CEO.
News
Boundless has cemented its position as the UK’s leading bagged, 'gut health' snack, after a successful investment round.
News
Emily Miles has announced that she will be leaving her role at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) this September, as she departs for a position at Defra.
News
National Farmers Union (NFU) president Tom Bradshaw met new Defra secretary of state Steve Reed to discuss policy reform and the future of food security in the UK.
The Talent Poole
Jon Poole shares his own experiences and reflects on the views of some of his past guest leaders, as he explores what it means to be an authentic leader.
News
Andy Farnworth will become the new managing director for Bidcorp’s fresh food division, Bidfresh.
Feature
By 2025, it’s predicted that there will be more than 75m ‘smart’ connected devices. Yet, despite our instantaneous, online lifestyles, we are still experiencing a sense of 'disconnect' between the food industry, government and consumers.
Food Manufacture Podcast
Food Manufacture hears from Wycliffe Sande, the founder of Blue Turaco, a 100% speciality Ugandan Robusta and the first Black-African owned coffee brand to be listed in UK supermarkets.
Business Leaders' Forum
Food Manufacture caught up with some of the delegates at Business Leaders’ Forum 2024 to find out their key takeaways from this year's event.
The Talent Poole
Most leaders aspire to be positive and encouraging - but how do senior leaders inspire, support and empower others to become our leaders of the future?
Food Manufacture Podcast
THIS co-founder Andy Shovel talks start-ups, plant-based and taking a step back in the May edition of the Food Manufacture podcast.
News
The dip brand, which was founded by former BBC journalist Julie Waddell in 2012, has been acquired for an undisclosed sum by the fresh foods provider.
Opinion
Well honed communication skills are key for food business leaders to succeed. Psychology of language expert Fliss Wingrove explores the biggest mistakes we make when communicating and the secrets to getting it right.
The Talent Poole
James Eid is the founder of Earth and Wheat, a subsidiary of his family’s business, Signature Flatbreads. At only 24 years old, Eid has, through his enthusiasm and creativity, challenged the family business and also the wider food industry by re-thinking...
News
European bakery business Baker & Baker has appointed a new UK CCO, whilst cereal and seed manufacturer Silvery Tweed announces technical manager.