George Hughes-Davies – Daily Dose
Since founding Daily Dose in 2016, George Hughes-Davies has built the cold pressed juice brand into of the fastest-growing companies in the UK beverage sector. Leading by example, Hughes-Davies has worked in every department and now possesses an in-depth understanding of how each area of the business is run.
In the past year Daily Dose has achieved 50% growth and doubled its headcount, with key hires coming onboard including a new CFO, CCO, COO, HR manager and technical team.
Hughes-Davies has sought to promote from within and has been actively involved in the recruitment process, displaying a clear focus on building a leadership team that can support the next stage of the firm’s development.
Daily Dose now supplies nearly all major retailers in the UK through branded and private label contracts, as well as 800 cafes and restaurants. To meet this demand and with venture capital backing, the firm has invested heavily in equipment including the installation of a new HPP machine and the development of an industry-first smoothie machine.
“Trusting the people you hire is integral, because you hired them for a reason,” Hughes-Davies told Food Manufacture.
“I know where my weaknesses are and understand the people we have hired are better in their role then I am. Of course, I ask questions to guide and challenge, but also allow them to show their expertise.”
Moving forward, Hughes-Davies said he will be less involved on a day-to-day basis, instead focusing on stakeholder management and longer term strategic planning.
“Our aim is to grow from £11m in revenue to £50m, but I need to plan this process,” he added.
“This includes considering how to fill out the factory, organising training for our growing team and maintaining the machinery we have invested in. It is a different role, but I am excited.”
Ivan Siqueira – Pilgrim’s Europe
Ivan Siqueira moved to the UK in 2022 to lead the Pilgrim’s UK business as president and has since led a £4.2bn integration project to bring together Pilgrim’s UK, Moy Park, Pilgrim’s Food Masters and Pilgrim’s Shared Services under the Pilgrim’s Europe structure. With almost 20,000 colleagues across 40 facilities in four different countries, Siqueira now leads the UK’s largest food and drink business.
In less than 12 months at the helm of the Pilgrim’s Europe structure, Siqueira has overseen significant growth, putting the business back on track to pre-Covid levels. This has been brought about by a strategic integration programme to drive operational improvements and become a more customer-focused and efficient organisation, underpinned by a £60m investment programme.
This is the latest venture in Siqueira’s career that has seen him progress from the factory floor to delivering successful turnarounds. This includes Seara’s pork and poultry division, as well as Pilgrim’s UK, which under his stewardship achieved 84% recovery of £16m operational losses with 10% revenue increase within year one and a return to £39.5m profit in year two.
“Understanding the preferences of the market when you take on a new role is vital,” Siqueira told Food Manufacture.
“This relies on researching what competitors are doing and then responding to that with NPD.”
In his time at Pilgrim’s, Siqueira has proven to be a strong leader, focused on the details to bring rapid improvements and create the opportunity of a better future for all of its people.
“I like to lead from the front with a clear destination in mind, while ensuring that I have a strong grasp of each situation to bring others along with me,” he added.
“It is essential to foster a spirit of collaboration so that the team can chart a path together as it looks to reach its targets.”
James Arnold – Sleaford Quality Foods
James Arnold has worked for Sleaford Quality Foods for 43 years, serving as managing director since 2004.
Since then, he has grown annual turnover from £10m to £60m, and transformed the business into a trusted supplier of ambient ingredients to the food manufacturing and foodservice industries.
In the past year Sleaford has invested £750k in a new innovation centre that now employs seven people, which Arnold said has received impressive feedback from customers that have visited.
This is part of a wider diversification push at the business which has a three-year plan in place to grow turnover to £100m. As part of this goal, Sleaford has moved into the retail market for the first time and is experimenting with new ways to meet the demands of the market.
Arnold will admit that he is not “classically trained” and has had to learn on the job, but said that there has been “no other option than to thrive and lead” if the business is going to survive.
Part of this process has been helped by the long-serving team Arnold has around him, which he has supported through training and education programmes throughout his tenure. He said that loyalty and knowledge retention is key to his approach and while he has had to let people go during difficult times, he takes these decisions seriously.
“Leadership is about listening, engaging with people and building trust,” Arnold told Food Manufacture.
“You need to make difficult decisions when necessary and stick to your convictions – business leaders are judged by the bottom line.”
Covid was a difficult period for Sleaford as it lost 30% of its business when foodservice outlets were closed. However, the team has managed to get back on track over the past three years and has returned to profit.
“We have created more than 150 jobs for people in the local area and supply more than 700 customers, which is something to be proud of,” he concluded.
Laura Bounds – Kent Crisps
Kent Crisps is one of the last remaining independent hand-cooked crisp brands in the UK, a fact that Laura Bounds is rightly proud of.
Bounds became the owner of Kent Crisps in 2017 following a management buyout that saved the business. Born and raised in Kent, she committed to shepherding the brand through a difficult period and within a year had managed to return it to profitability.
This was achieved through entirely organic growth – the business is debt free and has no external backers, creating a sustainable model that has seen it grow 35% in the past year. Since Bounds took over, the brand has secured new contracts in major multiples and entered the travel sector with international airlines and ferry companies, while continuing to supply local independent shops, restaurants and attractions.
“Kent Crisps is operated as a lean business, run by a passionate and dedicated team,” Bounds told Food Manufacture.
“Our staff talk about ‘we’ rather than ‘I’ and this is the culture across the entire company.”
A unique aspect of the Kent Crisps model is the way in which Bounds has partnered with the local economy and key attractions, such as Canterbury Cathedral, Turner Contemporary art gallery and Leeds Castle. She seeks to promote local producers and emphasises the brand’s Kent heritage, a factor which has helped it successfully enter 15 global markets.
In 2023, Bounds took time out to have a baby but has since returned to work, a process she said caused her to reflect on what has been achieved over the past seven years.
“I have been through a variety of experiences during my career and I am now at a point where I can look back but also think about the future and new opportunities,” Bounds explained.
“We are in a position of strength with a great team that understands the business and our goals. It is not just about me anymore and this makes me excited for the future.”
‘Judging was not easy’
Charlotte Langdon, partner at Menzies, was part of the judging panel involved in selecting the four finalists for Business Leader of the Year.
Reflecting on the experience, she said: “It’s an honour to be a returning judge for the FMEA Awards, and in particular the Business Leader of the Year category.
“There were some great entries this year and the judging was not easy! Innovation, efficiency, and leadership in manufacturing came together to drive business success and shape the future of the industry.”
The winners for next year’s awards will be announced at a gala dinner held at the London Hilton Bankside. Tickets are available to purchase here.
The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2025 are kindly supported by headliner Menzies and event sponsors Niras, Quor, and Watermill Press.