Beef Category Buyer
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd

Jessie was initially employed as Category Assistant within the Meat, Fish and Poultry Department, at Sainsbury’s. Her ability was recognised at a very early stage and she was promoted to Beef Category Buyer. Jessie is responsible for all pre-packed and counter beef and veal sales, burgers and offal. This involves day-to-day contact and negotiating with major meat companies. In addition to working with her supplier base, Jessie works closely with her Sainsbury’s colleagues across different departments and has direct contact with stores. Her colleagues say Jessie is always keen to learn more and gain knowledge relating to her chosen industry.

Senior Buyer – Beef & Lamb
WM Morrisons PLC

Jodie started her career via the Graduate Trainee Programme with Morrisons Manufacturing and has worked in various roles within the factory before becoming Livestock and Farming Development Manager. Known for her ‘brilliant’ interpersonal skills and knowledge, she demonstrates a consistent passion for the job. These attributes have recently led to her to being promoted to Senior Buyer for Beef and Lamb at the company. Having been brought up on a farm, Jodie has a solid understanding of the agricultural sector and meat. Her colleagues say her attention to every detail and drive for success is tremendous, and that she is a pleasure work with.

Head of HR
Althams Butchers

Jill’s vision and HR strategy is bringing about a cultural transformation as the Althams Butchers business works towards a ‘Best Company to Work For’ recognition. To deliver a highly engaged performance culture and unleash the passion and potential of team members, Jill has: developed ‘Company Values’, launched the ‘Althams Academy’ in-house training, created a ‘People & Training Department’, helped to develop a new style ‘Management Structure’, established a ‘Performance Review Scheme’ and introduced a ‘Sports & Social Committee’. A farmer’s dughter, Jill’s colleagues say that her positive energy, communication style and determined nature to champion ‘change for good’ always shine through.

Senior Category Manager, Tulip Food Solutions
Tulip Ltd

As the sole insight and category contact for Tulip’s foodservice customers, Sonia has created an industry-leading report that fills a market gap and which is used by customers to shape and inform their own new product development initiatives. Sonia was invited to join a customers’ board-led strategy team and has presented, as the only external representative, to the Danish food industry. She has developed an innovative snacking brand and has set up an external share point website set to change the way Tulip communicates with a key customer.

Head of Supply Chain
Dunbia

Lisa is Dunbia’s top performing group manager. In 2017 she delivered major cost savings, launched three first to market products, won four packaging awards, one patent application and delivered her part of a £multi-million supply chain restructure with no negative impact on customer service. Lisa’s colleagues say she has an incredible work ethic and shows calm, effective leadership under pressure.

Purchasing Manager
Samworth Brothers Ltd

Victoria is responsible for the group’s lamb and beef requirements, and has focused her procurement strategy on challenging the norm and working collaboratively with both suppliers and customers. Her colleagues say she thinks creatively to explore different buying models, and builds strong relationships with all stakeholders to effectively manage change across five sites. Her work with customers has improved carcass utilisation, and her collaboration with suppliers has improved quality standards.

Charcutier
Cwmfarm Charcuterie Products

Ruth Davies makes a range of salami and cured meats all from her own free range pigs on Cwm Farm near Pontardawe. Ruth had the opportunity to learn butchery skills to a high level while training at the Food Centre Wales in Horeb and even regularly travelled to Tuscany to discover more about traditional methods. A standout moment of Ruth’s was developing a unique range of Laverbread Salami and Leek Salami for Theresa May that was recently supplied to Number 10 Downing Street for the St David’s Day menu.

Butchery Manager
Makro Liverpool

After joining Makro Liverpool as Butchery Manager, Sue quickly established a reputation for her fantastic butchery skills and experience, and also for her attitude and approach. Sue has developed and honed her craft over many years working for an independent butcher before joining Makro, however her colleagues say what is particularly impressive is Sue’s focus, drive and passion for coaching, training and developing others in order to keep the craft alive. Due to this passion, Sue was selected to complete The Institute of Meat Master Butcher accreditation and is in fact the only female to have done so.

Manager
The Q Guild

Claire is a well-known figure in meat marketing, having worked previously for the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC), then BPEX and subsequently AHDB. She joined MLC in the 1990s, working within trade marketing before changing her focus to consumer marketing. Claire was key in developing consumer campaigns encouraging people to buy, cook and eat red meat. When devolution hit the meat industry, Claire switched to BPEX (latterly AHDB) where she focused on pork marketing. Now settled in her current role with The Q Guild, Claire is tasked with managing the daily operations of the organisation which represents and supports quality butcher’s shops across the UK.

Deputy Director
British Meat Processors Association (BMPA)

Fiona has principle responsible for the policy work in animal health and welfare and primary meat production at BMPA. She also leads on the association’s work on Brexit and labour and post-Brexit regulation. In the last year she has, among other things, led on work with Defra and the Food Standards Agency regarding the implementation of mandatory CCTV in abattoirs, led a group reporting to the Welsh Cabinet Secretary on requirements for use of CCTV in Welsh abattoirs, represented industry at an Efra Select Committee into the effects of the Brexit referendum on labour, been part of a UK industry wide group hosted by the New Zealand Government to explore their red meat industry, overseen the production of the industry report and led the industry response at the start of the recent CO2 shortage.

Sales Director
Direct Meats

Since joining Direct Meats in 2016, Nicola, known as Niki has developed the Direct Meats team and business into becoming one of the UK’s market leading meat wholesalers. So significant have her contributions been that she was asked to become Sales Director in 2017 and joined the board in 2018. Niki is incredibly passionate about the industry and her colleagues say she has absolute dedication to everyone that is involved in the Direct Meats business – from the farmers and growers, to the processors and drivers, to the customers and business partners. She goes above and beyond to understand what’s needed to make a real, positive difference.

Marketing & Operations Assistant
Weddel Swift Distribution Ltd

Sally-Anne joined Weddel Swift as Customer Relationship Executive for the Northern Region following a 10 year stint as a racecourse Commercial Manager. Initially knowing little about the meat industry, Sally-Anne immersed herself into the sector, researching, working with colleagues and spending time with butchers understanding their needs and their customers. Her role involved visiting butcher’s shops for the company’s seven Northern depots, discussing products and building good relationships – travelling 550-800 miles each week! In January 2018 following the success of her role and her understanding of customers, Sally-Anne was promoted to Marketing & Operations Assistant at the Head Office. Her role consists of: sales & marketing, maintaining the website, social media, operations – company car fleet and telecommunications, and acting as a PA to the Operation Director and Senior Management.

Operational Finance Lead
Tulip Ltd

Sophie successfully completed the Tulip Graduate Scheme and was fundamental to a yield improvement plan in Tulip Fresh, changing product flow and culture. Now part of Operational Finance, she has so far driven cost savings of £2 million using a department managers’ engagement programme. The company says this would not have happened without Sophie’s ‘infectious way of working’. She studied for her first two CIMA exams in her spare time – and passed. Amy Witham, Finance Director, Fresh, said: “I am blessed she is in my team.”

NPD and Ingredients Sourcing Technologist
Dovecote Park Ltd

Phillippa joined the NPD team during the departments busiest ever period. Originally joining the department as NPD and Ingredients Sourcing Technologist, she has quickly shown the aptitude and dedication in making the role her own, in becoming not only a vital member of the team but a key asset to the business. Over the past year, Philippa has worked in a demanding role, providing support on a number of high profile projects whilst building rapport and relationships with key suppliers.