Big Food mergers and their impact on SMEs
The last year has seen a flurry of acquisition deals, with several bigger firms snapping up successful challenger and smaller brands.
Business Leaders' Forum
‘We’re on the cusp of a mini AI revolution’
Last month’s Business Leaders’ Forum gave way to a whole-room discussion between the entire value chain, with AI top of mind.
Planning for the worst, delivering the best: Inside Business Leaders’ 2025
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...
Rebuilding for scale: How Frive found its edge again
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.
Animal welfare scandals: Why food companies can’t afford to look away
Earlier this year Cranswick suspended one of its farms following undercover footage which showed piglets being killed using an illegal method.
Why our packaging isn’t perfect
Ros Heathcote, founder of Borough Broth, discusses the reasoning behind her company’s packaging choices and the frustrations felt by SMEs.
Food industry leaders tackle sustainability, mental well-being and food fraud at February 2025 Business Leader’s Forum
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.
Mental wellbeing requests on rise in F&B businesses
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...
Getting past the UPF debate: Why the ‘healthy UPF’ is the obvious future
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.
Skill shortages: Can F&B still attract young talent?
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.
4 big F&B issues that will dominate 2025
David Young, partner at law firm Addleshaw Goddard, outlines the key issues that will dominate the agenda for food manufacturers in the coming year.
Growing your brand from start-up to superstar: 8 lessons from Ramona’s
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.
Top UK food and drink leaders under 30 to watch
The Hurun Research Institute has published its 2024 Hurun UK Under 30s list showcasing outstanding young entrepreneurs in the UK.
News
2 Sisters boss says Budget will deliver ‘fatal blow’ to UK farmers
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
Am I eligible for the Business Leaders’ Forum?
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
Baker & Baker sees revenue reach €620m
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
How to win a Food Manufacture Excellence award
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
Navigating through a crisis
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
Dalterfood Group sees 8.8% increase in turnover reaching €159m
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
What's up for grabs at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2025?
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
How to create a great succession plan
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
Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2025 open for entries
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: 'Get good people around you, get good mentors, get a good network and find your tribe'
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 real internal growth recovers
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
Scottish seaweed processor raises £595k
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
F&B inflation falls for 15th consecutive month
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
Brockmans Gin switches UK distributor
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
Better Nature names second CEO
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
Gut-health snack brand secures £1.5m investment
Boundless has cemented its position as the UK’s leading bagged, 'gut health' snack, after a successful investment round.
News
FSA chief executive returns to Defra
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
‘The work starts now’: NFU meets with new Defra secretary
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
Are you a genuine leader?
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
Bidcorp UK hires new fresh foods MD
Andy Farnworth will become the new managing director for Bidcorp’s fresh food division, Bidfresh.
Feature
Will disjointed thinking destroy us?
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
Blue Turaco founder: 'I want your voices to be heard in the rooms where decisions are being made'
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
Key takeaways from Business Leaders' Forum 2024
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
Attracting and growing our future leaders
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: ‘My life’s work is about improving the lives of animals’
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
Bakkavor acquires UK humous brand Moorish
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
The biggest mistake when communicating and the four secrets to getting it right
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
Breaking bread: James Eid’s recipe for creative leadership
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
Leadership changes at two bakery producers
European bakery business Baker & Baker has appointed a new UK CCO, whilst cereal and seed manufacturer Silvery Tweed announces technical manager.
News
Food and drink manufacturers receive royal recognition
Food and drink businesses received royal recognition in this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise.
News
Powerhouses on the move
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
All in a Day's Work: Glebe Farm MD
In May's edition of All in a Day's Work, we hear from Glebe Farm's managing director Philip Rayner.
News
British rock candy faces extinction
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.
News
C-suites stepping down
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.
News
87% of manufacturers unhappy with lack of government support
With more than half the world’s population voting for future governments this year, the manufacturing sector's hopes are set on those which can be influenced or improved by the right policy.
The Talent Poole
Resilience within food leadership
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...
Short read
Can one business make a difference?
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.