Business Leaders' Forum

Am I eligible for the Business Leaders’ Forum?

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Am I eligible for the Business Leaders’ Forum?

By Bethan Grylls

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?

Baker & Baker sees revenue reach €620m

News

Baker & Baker sees revenue reach €620m

By Bethan Grylls

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.

How to win a Food Manufacture Excellence award

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How to win a Food Manufacture Excellence award

By Bethan Grylls

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!

Navigating through a crisis

The Talent Poole

Navigating through a crisis

By Jon 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...

What's up for grabs at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2025?

News

What's up for grabs at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2025?

By Bethan Grylls

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...

How to create a great succession plan

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How to create a great succession plan

By Bethan Grylls

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.

Nestlé’s real internal growth recovers

News

Nestlé’s real internal growth recovers

By Bethan Grylls

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...

Scottish seaweed processor raises £595k

News

Scottish seaweed processor raises £595k

By Bethan Grylls

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.

F&B inflation falls for 15th consecutive month

News

F&B inflation falls for 15th consecutive month

By Bethan Grylls

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.

Brockmans Gin switches UK distributor

News

Brockmans Gin switches UK distributor

By Bethan Grylls

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.

Better Nature names second CEO

News

Better Nature names second CEO

By Bethan Grylls

The UK’s fastest-growing meat-free brand in retail has seen a leadership shuffle, as Elin Roberts joins Chris Kong as co-CEO.

FSA chief executive returns to Defra

News

FSA chief executive returns to Defra

By Bethan Grylls

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.

Are you a genuine leader?

The Talent Poole

Are you a genuine leader?

By Jon 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.

Will disjointed thinking destroy us?

Feature

Will disjointed thinking destroy us?

By Bethan Grylls

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.

Key takeaways from Business Leaders' Forum 2024

Business Leaders' Forum

Key takeaways from Business Leaders' Forum 2024

By Gwen Ridler

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.

Attracting and growing our future leaders

The Talent Poole

Attracting and growing our future leaders

By Jon 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?

Bakkavor acquires UK humous brand Moorish

News

Bakkavor acquires UK humous brand Moorish

By Bethan Grylls

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.

Breaking bread: James Eid’s recipe for creative leadership

The Talent Poole

Breaking bread: James Eid’s recipe for creative leadership

By Jon 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...

Leadership changes at two bakery producers

News

Leadership changes at two bakery producers

By Bethan Grylls

European bakery business Baker & Baker has appointed a new UK CCO, whilst cereal and seed manufacturer Silvery Tweed announces technical manager.

Powerhouses on the move

News

Powerhouses on the move

By Bethan Grylls

Leaders at Amazon Fresh, the International Chamber of Commerce UK, and Hello Fresh have been appointed onto The Felix Project’s Board of Trustees, while Gabriel Fernández steps into the role of president of Global Emerging Markets (GEM) for Mars Snacking.

All in a Day's Work: Glebe Farm MD

All in a Day's Work

All in a Day's Work: Glebe Farm MD

By Philip Rayner

In May's edition of All in a Day's Work, we hear from Glebe Farm's managing director Philip Rayner.

British rock candy faces extinction

News

British rock candy faces extinction

By Bethan Grylls

Ten Blackpool-based confectionery manufacturers have come together to urge UK Government to grant rock origin protection status after ‘cheap, imitation imports’ place their businesses at risk.

C-suites stepping down

News

C-suites stepping down

By Bethan Grylls

Both innocent Drinks and Tate & Lyle have lost key leaders, as James Davenport and Dawn Allen depart their respective roles as innocent COO and Tate & Lyle CFO.

Resilience within food leadership

The Talent Poole

Resilience within food leadership

By Jon Poole

Resilience is a critical behaviour which is likely to be called upon from time to time by most leaders. This is especially the case for leaders in the food sector, given the formidable challenges most businesses continue to face. Geoff Eaton, Butcher’s...

Can one business make a difference?

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Can one business make a difference?

By Bethan Grylls

Food Manufacture looks at whether start-ups with strong ethical and sustainable foundations can make meaningful and positive change in the way things are done.

Little Moons nabs Graze CEO

News

Little Moons nabs Graze CEO

By Bethan Grylls

The mochi brand will see the head of Graze, Joanna Allen, take the helm this summer, following the sudden departure of Mike Hedges earlier this month.

M&A: Going beyond the balance sheets

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M&A: Going beyond the balance sheets

By Martyn King

Martyn King of management consultancy Chasm Ltd explores the role of operational due diligence when buying, selling or managing multiple sites.

Arla’s hat trick

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Arla’s hat trick

By Bethan Grylls

Fran Ball, VP of production at Arla, reflects on what it means to have won at this year’s Food Manufacture Excellence Awards and the processes and people that helped secure the dairy company’s three trophies.

Little Moons loses CEO and explores consolidation

News

Little Moons loses CEO and explores consolidation

By Bethan Grylls

Mike Hedges, CEO of Little Moons, has stepped down with immediate effect, with the company now actively seeking for a replacement at the same time as exploring the consolidation of its operations.

Baker & Baker and the gluten-free factory

Me & My Team

Baker & Baker and the gluten-free factory

By Matt Ball

Matt Ball, Baker & Baker’s plant manager within its gluten-free site in West Sussex, talks about the facility’s growth in innovation and capability, and how he’s championing safety and retention in his team.