How to win a Food Manufacture Excellence award

We’re all filled with self-doubt sometimes, but you don’t have to be practically perfect in every way to be a winner. Previous victors have been through really tough times, from fires to dwindling profits, but what they all had in common is that they came out fighting.  

We’re looking for strong businesses, ethical businesses, fresh-thinking businesses, businesses with stories to tell.

Tell your story

FMEA judge and founder of Food Forensics, Alison Johnson, encapsulated these sentiments succinctly in a conversation with Food Manufacture as she explained what she’s seeking in 2025’s Food Integrity Award winner.

“I am looking for a company that not only understands the principles of food integrity and risk but also actively embodies them throughout its operations. True integrity is rooted in a culture of trust where team members feel empowered to identify and raise potential issues without fear. Recognising and addressing problems is a sign of strength, not failure. It reflects a proactive and responsible approach to maintaining the highest standards of food safety.”​

Talking from a wider perspective, independent consultant and quality and safety expert, Alec Kyriakides, also emphasised the importance of telling your story with passion.

“The Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards recognise the amazing achievements of individuals and businesses in our fabulous industry, and I can’t wait to hear the stories that show me the passion, creativity and determination that so many of you will have demonstrated in delivering them over the year,” ​he said.

“No matter how big or small your achievement, I am just as interested in the way you have gone about delivering it as the achievement itself. So, get your entry in and I look forward to recognising the contribution you have made to our industry.”​

Lisa Fox, group learning development manager for Nomad Foods and Rod Addy, director general for the Provision Trade Federation shared similar thoughts.

“I am looking for all entrants to be passionate about the food industry and be committed to showcasing their successes to demonstrate how great our sector really is,” ​Fox said.

“I’m not looking for perfection – but I am looking for businesses with an innovative and inspirational story to tell that displays a point of difference over the competition and an example for others to follow,”​ added Addy.

Kate Clawson, head of manufacturing at Sleaford Quality Foods and this year’s winner of Factory Manager of the Year, is also keen to hear about the challenges entrants have faced and what sets them apart from others.

“[I want to know] what motivates them to achieve success each day,”​ she told Food Manufacture when asked what she’ll be looking out for.

Not just the ‘what’, but the ‘how’ and ‘why’

The judges are also keen to see your impact – so don’t just tell us what you’ve done, tell us how you did it and back it up with evidence.

Describing his winning entrant, Mark Baggaley, operations director for Butcher’s Pet Care, said: “A well thought out, balanced application which doesn't just major on the ‘why’ they feel they should win and ‘what’ they did, but also has a big emphasis on the ‘how’ they managed to get those results.”​

“From the entrants what I am looking for is impact! Impact supported with data and real-life examples to demonstrate the change they have driven for the respective awards,” ​added Daksha Stancilas, talent & development partner for Pret A Manger.

“Given my strong affinity for research and development, I am particularly interested in seeing exceptional science and engineering initiatives, as well as collaborative working approaches that amplify impact,”​ agreed David Lloyd, Huel’s senior R&D manager.

Richard Singleton, who works as headline sponsor Menzie LLP’s finance and sustainability director is also looking for tangible evidence.

In his role at Menzies, he helps clients design successful ESG strategies, and he will be lending this expertise and experience to choose the finalists and winner for the ESG Excellence award.

“I will be evaluating whether organisations have effectively integrated ESG into their business strategy and culture, focusing on initiatives that yield measurable results,” ​he noted.

“I’ve seen firsthand that treating ESG as a catalyst for creativity and innovation can lead not only to enhanced stakeholder engagement but also to new customers and revenue streams. I am looking for genuine commitment and inventive approaches that result in mutually beneficial outcomes."​

Inspirational leadership

Many of the judges expressed that they will be on the hunt for inspirational leaders and those who lead by example across several of the categories, such as Factory Manager of the Year, Business Leader of the Year, and Employer of the Year.

This is a quality Charlotte Langdon, partner at Menzies, is keeping a keen eye out for.  ​

Speaking with her with on the awards and winning entries, she said: “I am delighted to serve as a judge for the FMEA Awards, where Menzies is proud to be the headline sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. It is a privilege to contribute to an event that celebrates excellence and innovation in the food and drink sectors.​

“I will be drawing on my experience in the Manufacturing sector to look for inspiring leadership and strategic vision backed by solid growth and financial performance. As well as seeking future potential inspired by creativity, innovation, and bravery—finding new opportunities despite challenging market conditions.”​

“The food industry needs dynamic, inspirational and motivated future leaders to ensure that the food system can meet the challenges ahead and develop the opportunities for the future.”  ​

“Star leaders aren’t born with superhuman capabilities,” ​added Mark Schubert, director of Coriolis Consulting, citing Harvard Business School professor Linda Hill, one of the world’s top experts on leadership. “Rather, they tend to have intentionally put themselves in situations where they have to learn, adapt, and grow.”​

But leadership will also be a quality other judges are seeking in some of the other categories too, including Future Talent and Site Team, alongside drive and teamwork.

Stephen French, scientific policy director of IFST, shared his winner checklist: “I will be looking for candidates who show a real passion for making a difference in the food industry and who have the drive and leadership qualities to bring this to life.” ​

What’s your USP?

Schubert, who is heading up one of the five panels of judges, emphasised the importance of your USP.

He told Food Manufacture, that he will be after candidates offering a solid elevator pitch on why they stand out. He gave an example for the category of Supply Chain Excellence, which falls under his panel’s remit: “We expect to see the typical textbook supply chain excellence desired outcomes; agility, resilience, sustainability, leveraging technology and investment in talent. However, as judges we would like to understand your problem statement, the ‘why’. It is not simply for supply chain excellence. Entrants should be able to convey simply how a comprehensive supply chain strategy has supported delivery of their business goals.”​

“A true point of difference – a defined, unique selling point or a different approach that has led to something truly special with a clear mission statement and not a piggy-backing of credentials that don’t complement each other. This could be a new way of running a site, new product ranges, marketing initiatives that capture the imagination and many more ways,”​ Ash Stretton, M&S’s food regulatory affairs manager, told Food Manufacture.

If you’re eager to get to know our judges, have a read of this article.​​

How it works

Entering the awards is simple and all online. We have made the process straightforward as possible, with the judging criteria also available so you can cross check it against your entry.

Don’t worry about crossing off every single point – just do your best and tell us your story.

You can start an entry, save it on our system and come back whenever you need to update it. However, always leave enough time to complete your entry – you don’t want to miss the deadline!

We have also given you the option to upload evidence such as documents, pictures and videos. Our judges would love to see some creativity – so don’t be afraid to do something jazzy, like a video elevator pitch.

This year, there are 15 categories up for grabs, including a brand-new accolade – The Health Hero Award. You can read about the FMEA 2025 categories here.​​

For five categories, there will be an extra level of judging to help the panel decide on the finalists and winner for the people orientated awards and our grand prize of Manufacturer of the Year. It’s really good fun and adds a further level of integrity to the FMEAs.

The categories this applies to are:

• Future Talent
• Employer of the Year
• Business Leader of the Year
• Factory Manager of the Year
• Manufacturer of the Year

Candidates that get through to this second level of judging will be given a 20-minute online slot and required to present in front of a panel for a maximum of 10 minutes, with a 10-minute Q&A with the judges afterwards. It’s a great way to really demonstrate your passion – and a truly superb presentation can certainly tip the scales in your favour. You’ll be notified and plenty of guidance given beforehand.

So what are you waiting for – enter today! We wish you the best of luck.

To find out more and to enter the Food Manufacture Awards, visit: www.foodmanawards.co.uk​​​. ​​Entries will close on the 23 September 2024.

This event is kindly supported by headline sponsor and business and accountancy firm, Menzies, alongside event sponsors - Niras - multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy - Quor Systems - the software management experts and providers, and Watermill Press - a BRCIOP Food Packaging approved label convertor.

Please note,​​ you must be a UK-based or operating company to enter the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards. However, only UK-based sites will be accepted for the following categories: Manufacture of the Year, Site Team of the Year, Emerging Business Award, the International Trade Award, and Factory Manager of the Year