Butchery Manager
Morgans Butchery

Proprietor of Morgans Butchery Miles Nicholas will tell you that Amy, his daughter, has been an amazing support since joining the butchery. He suffered a stroke five years ago and was unable to speak let alone run the business in the way he did prior, and confirms that Amy has helped behind the scenes with so much that he just couldn’t do without her. She has put the business first and helped it grow in ways Miles didn’t think possible and undertaking things he wouldn’t have been able to do in the butchery without her support. Amy is a real asset to Morgans Butchery and this nomination confirms how much everyone at the business appreciates the hard work she puts into its continued success. Mike added: “Amy has supported and guided me through many difficult times at the shop and is always so supportive as well as having a logical business head. I can’t thank her enough, so nominating her for this award is the least I can do.”

Director
Paley farm

Charlotte has been in retail for many years, she has a keen eye for the display at the shop, its colours and design. She has a passion and a goal to achieve, which is to encourage families to visit the farm where its butchery is located and to educate customers as to where the meat comes from, and talk about the importance of supporting British farms. She promotes this on the company’s social media pages and promotes how hard the butchery and the farm work, and what it is trying to achieve. Her proposer says that it’s only right that Charlotte has some recognition about what she is doing to promote British meat, butchery skills and farming – hence this worthy nomination.

Head Butcher /Co-Owner
Butcher’s Block Bromsgrove

Michelle, representing her all-female team, is put forward for this award as someone who has brought a high street butchers shop back to the town and is described as running a business that the whole town can be proud of. Last year’s winner of this category, her ethos on affordable food for all, and her traditional customer service at her shop, has really gained substantial support. Each year the team hold an annual anniversary event when they raise money for two local charities, as well as helping to raise funds for two other additional charities through the year. She sources all the high quality produce and nothing is too much bother when it comes to her customers. Michelle is a very well-liked ‘face of the town’ and has provided a fresh business approach and is a welcome addition to the area.

Butcher
Crich Butchers

Olivia is an extremely driven young woman. She works part time as a butcher in an independent shop whilst also looking after the tenancy of a small farm. Known as Liv, she tends a flock of 220 sheep and 215 lambs, together with a herd of 106 beef cattle. She also milks for a local farmer once a week. She has passed her Level Two butchery exam with ‘excellence’ status and is currently studying for her Level Three in butchery at Meat Ipswich. Liv constantly comes up with new products, mostly added value, to contribute to the shop’s range, which is a great hit with customers. Since starting at the business she has built up, and now maintains, the shop’s Facebook page and she posts daily updates helping to increase turnover and followers. She demonstrates a real passion for the industry and is a great team player, always going above and beyond.

Deli Manager
F Doncaster Ltd.

Rachel is nominated for this award after she brought a new lease of life into the Southwell shop. She has identified her customers’ needs and bought a new product range to the shop which has sold exceptionally well. She also manages the hot counter and serves on the meat side too. She is seen as a ‘Jack of all trades’ within the shop and her proposer says that her passion is unmatched. Her hard work and exceptional customer service skills have led to the shop increasing its footfall as well as producing increased positive customer feedback.

Owner / Managing Director
Cooper Quality Butchers Ltd

Laura left a career in banking to join the family business in 2018 and, following her parents’ retirement in 2019, she took over the helm, just prior to the start of the pandemic. Since then Laura has worked relentlessly to transform and grow the business to meet the diverse needs of her customers. When the pandemic hit in 2019 she very quickly adapted to the changing environment by introducing a website to enable customers to order online and receive a contactless delivery, working seven days each week to ensure that no customers were left without food. In the last year Laura led the business to win first place in the Best Sirloin Steaks in Scotland competition and top spot again in the inaugral World Haggis Championship. In January she purchased a second shop in a sale due to retirement, retaining its staff and keeping the ‘local butcher’ on another high street.

Buying Manager – Meat, Poultry, Eggs & Fish
Waitrose & Partners

Kate leads a team of five meat and poultry buyers as well as two fish buyers. She is a tenacious commercial leader looking to drive value back into the business without compromising on the quality, high standards of animal welfare and relationships with the Waitrose supply base and producers. Kate was instrumental in securing a multi-million pound investment for pig farmers at a time when they really needed it. She has worked tirelessly with the Waitrose supply chain teams and its suppliers to ensure shelves are stocked at a time when rising costs have put a strain on supply for many.  Internally Kate is a supportive manager with a real passion for the people in her team, ensuring they are happy, developing and supported within work and without.

Head of Corporate Services – Agriculture
Morrisons Supermarkets Limited

Sophie is leading the Morrisons Net Zero Agriculture programme which is a multifaceted industry leading approach to improving the sustainability of its supply chain. This has included the launch of the first School of Sustainable Farming in the UK in what is described as ‘a world first partnership’ between Morrisons, Harper Adams, McDonalds and the NFU. She has also launched tree advisors to help farmers plant trees in the right place and a support scheme to help producers achieve net zero by 2030

Technical Director
2 Sisters Food Group

A number of nominations confirm Danica’s integrity and resilience working in different roles in technical and accomplishing great achievements for 2 Sisters. One nomination said: “There is nothing this lady doesn’t know about poultry. With over two decades of experience she leads the way for women. She is a tenacious driven individual who has developed colleagues around her. She is a fountain of knowledge and a pleasure to work with. She strives to make her site teams the best so they can deliver the best product.” Another commented: “Danica has devoted her life to the protein industry in both red meat and poultry. Professional leadership qualities and genuine commitment and expertise within the meat industry has come through for all of her career.” The general consensus confirms that Danica provides a pillar of support for the business. She is a specialist in processing and has extensive experience from a career centred around meat manufacturing.

Supply Chain Manager
Moy Park

The year 2023 opened with a multi-million pound operational investment programme at Moy Park’s Dungannon site. This huge operational upgrade opportunity brought with it a major demand and supply challenge which Catherine, as Supply Chain Manager, led the site through, focusing on the supply / demand plan and both liaising with customers and coordinating the company’s commercial and plant teams. She liaised with the team to establish a critical path to create success factors, milestones and actions. The plan was designed to negate any impact on customer supply whilst delivering the installations, often referred to at the company as the poultry processing factory equivalent of open heart surgery! The benefits were clear to Catherine and she motivated others around her on the art of the possible. Her ability to cut through problems is due to 18 years’ experience, personality and communication skills at top levels, plus a calmness under pressure. The project was successfully completed over 16 weekends, on plan and is delivering the expected benefits. Catherine’s peer relationships grew throughout and she is an outstanding example to anyone.

Managing Director
Porky Whites Ltd

Porky Whites is a company traditionally associated with pork and sausage products and to explain this nomination Fran’s proposer said: “I would like to nominate Francesca Wyatt for the Poultry Category this year. She understood during the repositioning of the business that poultry growth was continuing and was increasingly becoming the dominant protein within the meat sector. Fran believed that there were gaps in the sausage market and the wider product sector and that in general the poultry offering available was often poor, particularly in sausages and not representative of what good products should be.” With her typical enthusiasm and positive energy Fran embarked on the development and sales of a good quality healthy eating range of chicken sausages, burgers and meat balls, selling into both retail and wholesale. As a result, Porky Whites chicken products are currently the biggest organic growth sectors within the business. Fran remains dedicated to the meat and food industry and is very enthusiastic about her business and last year became a Liveryman with the WCB.

Owner / Proprietor
Becky’s Butchers

Becky is known for her excellent and friendly service providing what her proposers describe as beautiful meat with full traceability so customers are able see where it originates and its provenance. Becky won the Rising Star category at the 2021 Women in Meat industry Awards ceremony. From a young age, she has always enjoyed working with livestock at her family farm in Great Bromley. When she turned 17 she decided to take up an apprenticeship role as a butcher, to understand more about the meat she was producing. Following her apprenticeship, she travelled to Australia to work at a cattle station, where she spent two seasons learning even more about livestock. Returning to the UK, Becky’s ambition was to help people understand about meat, where it was from and the different cuts available. Her business places significant emphasis on providing locally sourced product.

Regional Sales Manager
JBS Global (UK) Ltd

Daniela has a deep understanding of the global protein trade. She worked in the North American and South American markets before moving to the JBS London office. In her current role at JBS Global (UK) Daniela is responsible for servicing the southern European markets as well as controlling the supply base production in Brazil. Colleagues report that Daniela exudes a positive energy that is infectious to her suppliers, colleagues, and customers alike.

Head of Operations
Becketts Foods Ltd

Diane has worked in the Becketts Foods business for two and half years. Her proposer reports that during that time she has: “Really made her mark on the business.” Her passion for the industry and the improvements that she has made are described as incredible even in the most challenging of circumstances. Diane is said to have a way of communicating with her colleagues that has really improved the engagement within the business and has improved the retention of staff. She has worked with the HR team to really support and develop the team through training and upskilling. She cares passionately about her colleagues and the business and is actively supporting other women in the production area to develop skills and experience.

Managing Director
Woburn Country Foods Ltd

Helen always goes the extra mile to get the business what it wants and needs when it want it. That is the message from one of Helen’s proposers. She is also said to have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, altering all work practices over the first weekend of lockdown so when her team returned on the Monday everyone had a safe working environment. She altered the whole set up of the business to move from foodservice to internet and retail sales to keep the business afloat whilst restaurants were closed. This enabled the company to retain all its staff and all its suppliers so the business was ready for the reopening of its core catering trade when the time came.

Assistant Technical Manager
ABP Langport

Laura is put forward as an example for all the employees in ABP Langport. She started her career in ABP as a boning hall operator, and has progressed having shown interest in developing her career inside the company. She went forward step by step and successfully attended college and successfully gained her certificates. Subsequently, she was promoted to Assistant Technical Manager. Laura is described as a clear and beautiful example of successful women who exceeds her limits – in fact she has no limits.

Co-Owner
Butchers Block Bromsgrove

Lilith is well known for going above and beyond to ensure taste, variety, quality and value in her product range. Described as a ‘huge hearted woman, loving and giving’ she has single handedly created a homemade food range that has people from across the UK travelling to enjoy it. A previous winner in the Independent Retail category, last year saw her range expand to become one of the largest independent stockists of homemade gluten and dairy-free sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, ready-cooked meals plus a huge selection of pies. She is currently working in collaboration with radio DJ Malcolm Boyden from BBC Hereford & Worcester where together with listeners they created an exclusive Boyden Pie, available as a regular or gluten-free product. Lilith specialises in allergy-free catering and has spoken to local Coeliac UK group about her food range.

Site Buyer (for Ferndale Foods)
Oscar Mayer Food Group – Ferndale Foods

Katy is in charge of buying the necessary ingredients for her site which covers fresh products, dry powders and liquid ingredients. In her role she has to work very closely with her technical colleagues and the sales team who look after customer requirements. She also deals with suppliers to ensure products and materials comply with Oscar Mayer standards and those required by its customers. Katy is put forward as a person with a fantastic in-depth knowledge of food ingredients and works with her suppliers to ensure the standard is always kept at a high level. Working in the food industry is not an easy option, but Katy’s attitude and personality to ensure everyone is working together to create an excellent product for the consumer is described as ‘the best.’

Butchery Office Supervisor
Creed Foodservice

Rachael was promoted this year due to what one of her many proposers report is her total commitment and enthusiasm shown to the business. She is said to be hugely customer and service focused – continually liaising with the internal sales team and external customers to ensure the department delivers the best quality meat possible. In order to achieve this she has built a great rapport with suppliers to ensure that the business receives the best quality products into the butchery. Over the last 12-months meat sales have grown by over 40%, and this has been massively impacted by Rachael’s approach within the department. She has proven herself to be an invaluable butchery office supervisor at Creed Butchery due to what is described as her exceptional organisational skills and extensive knowledge of the meat industry.

Owner
Chapman Butchers Glasgow

According to her proposer Lynne is a total inspiration to all, as she has worked so hard to get to where she is and bringing her shop up to a standard that is ‘second to none.’ She has already won awards and her chicken tikka chasni pies have received publicity in a national newspaper. The business was passed down from her grandfather to her father and now Lynne strives to keep the family legacy alive while bringing up three children, one just four months old (at the time of her nomination). Also at the time that her nomination was received she was back to work already! She is always smiling and her proposer for this award confirms Lynne’s determination to give the best customer service possible along with introducing ‘snappy shopper’ and an online ordering service.

Livestock buyer
Alec Jarrett Ltd

Gosia is a main livestock buyer at Alec Jarrett and colleagues readily confirm she always has fantastic attitude to work. She certainly isn’t afraid to go the extra mile. The company purchases all types of cattle, predominantly from the West Country and South Wales. Gosia is well known in farming circles and all Alec Jarrett producers are reported to enjoy taking her advice about livestock and husbandry. The company has its own farming interests plus an abattoir and boning hall producing a range of products for retail, catering and manufacturing both in the UK and Europe.

Logistics Co-Ordinator
ABP UK

Maria has worked for ABP for over 20 years and is highly regarded as extremely dedicated to her job as well as her colleagues. She is described as a fantastic role model and colleagues confirm that she inspires others with her passion for excellence, especially so to the younger women in the ABP Logistics office.

Financial Controller
ABP UK

Lauren joined ABP Doncaster 16 years ago as an Account Administrator and worked her way up through various roles including Accounts Supervisor, and Site Accountant to her current role as Financial Controller and part of the senior management team at Doncaster. She supports the site working with ABP’s multiple retail customers and always goes the extra mile in everything she does, and is recognised as a role model and mentor to so many colleagues – both in the ABP business and for its customer partners. She recently completed the ABP ‘Empowering Leader Programme.’ She is also a regional leader for the internal ‘ABP SHE’ community that champions female talent across its UK business. Her proposer said “She is an overall wonderful person, and is highly deserving of recognition.”

Owner and Manager
Primrose Herd

Sally has grown the family business from two pigs (gifted by her father) in 2000, to one of Cornwall’s best-known food producers. Maintaining the highest welfare and production standards, she’s adapted to the times – moving from the farm butchery to an industrial unit in Truro to keep up with demand. Primrose Herd Pork is often name-dropped on menus at top hotels and restaurants, and the online business is strong, yet she still ensures the family business has a regular presence at farmers markets and food festivals, keeping a face-to-face connection with customers.

Slaughterwoman
Foyle Group – Omagh

Based at the Omagh site in Northern Ireland Bridgeen is described as demonstrating amazing work skills. She has a ‘craic’ with everyone, and is said to be smiling all the time. Foyle Group slaughters and debones over 7,000 cattle each week and is one of the largest red meat processors in the UK with over 1,350 employees across eight sites in Northern Ireland, England and the Republic of Ireland. Bridgeen is a popular part of a team focussed on achieving optimal quality, presentation and value for money in the company’s brand-ready retail and catering packs.

Group Head of HR
Becketts Foods Ltd
(Part of CPC Holdings)

Andrea joined the business nearly 4 years ago and has made a massive impact right across the five business sites in the Group. Her knowledge and ability is described as incredible, reflected in the changes that have been made. These include huge improvements in company policies aligning them throughout the business and generally improving the HR standards. In particular, Andrea implemented a training programme within the Group. She has planned and engaged all levels of the business from the directors through to hourly-paid colleagues. Her proposer added that the response from colleagues has been incredible and that this development can only improve the business still further.

Planning Manager
Danish Crown UK

With over 25 years’ experience in the meat industry, Cathy started as an operator and has since developed a successful career as a planning manager (and an affectionate nickname – ‘The Meat Girl’). Cathy’s roles have involved working across numerous projects, business facets and categories, always upholding high customer standards, building relationships, and mentoring colleagues along the way. Cathy is highly valued as an asset to Danish Crown and the industry, with an unrivalled resilience and passion for her work.

Boning Hall Accountant
ABP Ireland

Her proposer says that Claire deserves a reward as she has silently and humbly upskilled herself from a receptionist/administer to a boning hall accountant at ABP. Claire also has two young children, and balances this with her very important role at the company. She is described as a joy to be around and is a great role model for all other young working mothers out there. Claire has also become a mentor at the business as of last year.

Financial Controller
ABP Ireland

Although not long in the business, just over a year, Joanne’s proposer was enthusiastic about her nominee. Joanne is a financial controller at ABP and also office manager as well as being a mother. Her support narrative confirms that she balances everything well and makes sure everyone is looked after. Joanne is also said to be doing exceptionally well in her role, even when times are challenging she has a smile on her face and is always available to help others. She is described as a great role model for all women in the meat industry.

Packing Supervisor
ABP Ireland (Waterford)

Paulina has worked with ABP Waterford since 2017. Back then she had very little English and confidence. Over the years Paulina has learned English and found her way around the packing area at the Waterford business. She was promoted to a packing supervisor and she has been thriving there ever since. Paulina is the first female supervisor at ABP Waterford. She became a mentor last year and is also now an ABP role model.

Procurement Director
Hilton Foods

Andrea is an individual who is never content with the status quo. She sets challenging goals for herself, fully supports her team to deliver, and works collaboratively with customers and suppliers. She shows great ambition by always ensuring Hilton Foods is regarded as an industry and cost leading business, and one that is setting standards in innovation. She never shies away from any challenge, always striving to do better. Over the past 18-months, leading her Group Procurement Team, she has achieved £millions in savings. Andrea is also a founder member of the Hilton Foods Women’s Network Group. This  has seen Hilton Foods better its target of 30% women in senior leadership roles by 2025 with 33% already achieved in 2022.

H&S Officer
ABP Ireland

Rosa’s proposer says that she should be recognised for all of the outstanding work that she does. She is a Health & Safety officer at ABP and a strong advocator for diversity, inclusion and women’s rights. Rosa is also very interested in the ABP business and talks to the operators on the production floor about pushing themselves to upskill, to do and be more. She gets involved with her colleagues and demonstrates to people that they can do anything if they apply themselves.

Strategic Procurement –
Senior Category Buyer
Dawn Meats Group

Donna is described as a pleasure to work with. After a career change from healthcare and looking to challenge herself, she completed a Masters in Business Management and a Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management. She then joined Dawn Meats in 2019 through the company’s Brighter Futures Graduate Programme, where she established herself with her supportive and positive attitude to work. Donna soon progressed into the role of Category Buyer which she excelled at and is now in the position of Senior Category Buyer for High-Risk Services. Donna shows great resilience with a motivational spirit and works with a smile on her face. She is a great support to her team whilst still continuing to learn and develop her skills having recently completed a CIPS Procurement Diploma.

Head of CSR
Hilton Foods

Emer brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and a real drive and commitment to her role, gained from years of working in the retail and processing sectors. She has successfully implemented a range of initiatives across company livestock supply chains delivering continuous improvement in key areas such as antibiotic reduction, animal welfare assessment and environmental impact. She has also been instrumental in delivering tangible benefits to the production conditions for red meat and poultry species at a time of significant commercial challenge. Additionally, she is a champion for the industry as a whole, promoting opportunities outside the immediate sector. She is well respected and maintains an enthusiastic and can-do approach at all times.

Finance Director
Hilton Foods UK

Laura moved into the role of Finance Director within the last 12-months, having previously worked in other roles within finance for the business. She is someone described as having a ‘fabulous approach’ to the business process, allowing her to fully understand the company, to challenge discrepancies that may arise and, more importantly, to collaborate with others not just internally but externally. Her calm methodical approach to a problem inspires successful delivery on projects and other change initiatives. Colleagues testify that Laura has no ego and is well respected by every person at every level at Hilton Foods. Her proposer commented: “It is an honour and a privilege to nominate Laura for this award.”

Technical Account Manager
Pilgrim’s UK

Felicity has grown her career in the world of meat manufacturing starting at site based technical roles and then moving into the company’s group function. She now heads up the technical relationship with several key customers thanks to her proven ability to build and maintain relationships. She is described as a ‘light up the room’ personality and consistently shows her ability to bring multifunctional teams together around a common agenda to deliver the best outcomes for customers and the business. She is an effective problem solver with a real ‘can do’ attitude who inspires others to succeed through her leadership and as a mentor – Pilgrim’s says she is a true inspiration to everyone around her.

Factory Manager
ABP

Carrie is passionate about quality and works tirelessly to ensure high quality for the two million packs of beef supplied to Asda every week. Described as a natural leader, colleagues confirm she instills confidence in her team to deliver. Her ‘can do’ attitude is refreshing in this demanding industry, says her proposer, and she is not afraid of hard work. Carrie can often be found on the shop floor where she takes great satisfaction in the development of her team.

Specification Technologist
2 Sisters Food Group

2 Sisters Food Group employs thousands of people throughout the UK and Europe. Tracey’s work for it is instrumental in ensuring that product specifications and product artwork is legal and accurate. She is someone who has an ‘eagle eye’ for detail and, in addition, is a reliable and motivated individual who will go above and beyond to support both her colleagues and customers. With major customers trading in retail and foodservice such as Aldi, Asda, Co-op, KFC, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose, getting product specifications right and product artwork properly produced could not be more important.

Site Director (Designate)
Pilgrim’s UK – Corsham

As a finance colleague, Jess was a crucial member of the finance team at Corsham. Since then she has stepped up as Site Director – Designate. Her role within the site finance team gave her a great understanding of operations, processes, and technical aspects. It’s clear to see that her experience is paying off and helping her fit into her role immediately. She has developed a great insight in food safety culture and continues to learn more to support her new role. She also recently managed growth and changes within the site which has included expansion of operations. Her biggest achievement has been safeguarding, maintaining and forging new customer relationships, all of which has cemented her reputation within the business and the site.

Production Manager – Pork
Morrisons Manufacturing –
Woodhead Bros

Kamila is considered a shining light at the company and leads from the front within the production management team at Morrisons Spalding. She is a dedicated individual that embraces every task she is faced with and delivers with professionalism and passion. That passion is transferred through to her team who deliver and drive forward to a high standard. She has been instrumental in the commercial growth of the business by her hands-on approach through butchery demonstrations to those who may not know how pork products progress on a journey to the table. This has led to sales growth in the business in a challenging market.  She has navigated her way from a butcher, to team manager and is now a production manager,  tipped for continued growth over the coming years.

Group Logistics Operations Manager
ABP UK

As Group Logistics Operations Manager Lyn competently covers a wide range of functions over many internal and external locations. Her role requires dedication and a wide range of skills to not only face business challenges, but to excel at dealing with them. She has become an indispensable leader within group logistics. Demonstrating a consistent and flexible hands-on operational management style, Lyn performs her role with compassion, strength and resilience and, as a result, has become a respected leader by the great example she has shown.

Environmental Manager
ABP Langport

Marta has been working hard for ABP over many years undertaking a range of important projects to reduce waste and cost. She is put forward for this award as someone who is ‘phenomenal with lot of energy’ and never gives up no matter what the challenges. Since the change in working practices at ABP Langport back in 2021, the site where she is working, it is estimated that one tonne of single use plastic previously used in production has been removed – a testament to Marta’s commitment and success as Environmental Manager. Her proposer sums it all up by simply saying: “She’s great woman.”

Operational Manager
Pilgrims UK (Redruth)

One of several nominations for Nicola highlights her good organisational skills and that she is supportive yet challenging, sharing her knowledge accumulated over 29 years of working in the meat industry. Over her time at Redruth she has worked her way up from an Operator to Operational Manager. Colleagues agree that her vast experience and knowledge benefits herself and others. She is committed and dedicated, and is a key person in the industry, and not just at the Redruth site. One proposer said: “Nicola has made a lasting impression on me since I started at Pilgrim’s seven months ago. I’m nominating her for this award due to her relentless and industrious approach. I’ve recognised her style and her due diligence and knowledge, culminating in making her a well-respected and liked manager.”

HR Assistant
Dawn Meats

Sonia commenced her Dawn Meats journey at a challenging time in January 2021 at the height of the covid 19 pandemic. The HR role during this time had the many additional tasks such as antigen testing, covid payments, daily wellbeing calls and strict public health protocol that had to be adhered to. With limited handover and support, Sonia not only adapted quickly but soon started to put her own imprint on the site and drove HR metrics and standards to a new level. There has been various changes on her site within the leadership team, but she has managed this well and developed strong working relationships with all key stakeholders. Sonia is determined, committed, hard working with the highest of standards, and is a key member of the Irish HR team at Dawn Meats. She is calm, trustworthy with strong emotional intelligence – which is a key trait displayed by the very best HR practitioners.

Supply Chain Manager
Dunbia

Therese is extremely hardworking and conscientious. She actually works a 4-day week structured around her duties as a mother, but never fails to address an issue or attend to an important call on her day off. She offers extensive meat knowledge, and is a specialist in offal. She provides guidance to all UK sites on offal harvesting, production, packing, specification and valuation and has a comprehensive knowledge of all offal markets worldwide. Therese commands the respect of all Operations Managers, Commercial Managers and (most impressively according to her proposer) all Abattoir Managers, through her knowledge and guidance. She has an ability to chair an internet call attended by a large number of colleagues, ranging from board members to abattoir charge hands. Being very highly regarded by all her colleagues, Therese also possesses excellent account management skills.

Owner / Butcher
Raise The Steaks

Mia has been in the industry for 4 years, passing her Level 3 with distinction a year early. Her passion and skill to produce high quality, bespoke and traditional cuts of meat from high welfare, small farmers and small holdings has driven her to open her own business and at only 21 years of age. Working from a unit near Sudbury she is striving to educate people on the farm to fork process, the benefits of high welfare produce and the importance of supporting UK small farmers. She is meticulous with her work, has an eye for detail and has an enthusiasm that her proposers believe will take her far in the industry.

Butcher
DH Robertson

Ariane is described as an amazing example of a woman in meat. She has completed her SCQF 5 and SCQF 6 Modern Apprentice qualifications in Meat and Poultry Skills. She plays and integral part in the development of new products in the shop. She went on to win the SCQF 5 Apprentice on the Year Award through Scottish Craft Butchers in November 2020. Her proposer said: “Ariane has shown an absolute commitment to the course even during a nationwide lockdown due to the Covid19 outbreak. She is a highly motivated part of the team and although she is working in a mostly all male working environment she can certainly give as much banter as she gets. The work from her portfolio has been of extremely high standard.”

Director
Boultons Artisan Butchery

Nikola came into the industry from a nursing background just over 5 years ago to support her proposer’s lifelong dream of owning a butchers’ shop. The proposer had been a butcher for over 35 years and had managed two shops. Nikola’s support narrative said: “I can honestly say that I have never met a natural like her. She can turn her hand to anything. Showing such passion and flare for butchery. She turned my dreams into reality and together we opened our first shop.” The business went from strength to strength. Nikola undertook all the marketing, accounts, counter work and would often ask the shop owner to show her basic butchery techniques and then started creating new added value products. After 2 years a second shop opened, this time much larger premises. Nikola designed it from scratch and turned a shell into a beautiful retail outlet.

Butcher
Bridget B’s

Sammy has been in the industry for the best part of two decades working in Dewhurst Butchers through to Dalesfords, to now being part of the award winning team at Bridget B’s Butchery. Her proposer confirms that Sammy has an incredible eye for value added products and display, and can ‘butcher with the best of them.’ Described as someone with a fantastic range of skills that transcend the block through to her relationship with customers, Bridget B’s says that Sammy is a true star and a ‘rock star butcher’ details of which can be found on Sammy’s Instagram. Rock on Sammy!

Director/Animal welfare/Butcher
Cig Eryri/Snowdonia Meats CYF

Originally a farmer, Tesni is the driving force behind Snowdonia Meats, a small slaughterhouse that reopened after many years. Tesni is always very helpful and nothing is too much bother for her. She is described as a jack of all trades and has done a marvellous job in setting up Cig Eryri. One of several proposers said: “She has done an amazing job reviving the abattoir, and we are delighted to support it as the animals we deliver are happy to walk into the pens and we know they will be well looked after.” Another proposer added: “I nominate Tesni because without her commitment, personable skills, diligence in the abattoir and butchery, not to mention her natural talent for moving livestock calmly and quietly, I would struggle to run my small farm business.”

Official Auxiliary
Food Standards Agency

Angela has been working in the meat industry for some years now as a Meat Inspector. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and her proposer said: “It has been a pleasure to have Angela as part of my team, being professional, confident, reliable and pro-active.” She has recently taken on the challenge of being a Welfare Assurance Team member, where she has carried out her training in a swift and positive manner, and has encountered quite a few challenges in this role that the proposer believes many men would avoid. She has met various difficult circumstances and dealt with them in an admiring way. Colleagues testify to Angela’s hard work and determination.

Head of Marketing
AHDB

The reputation of British red meat has been under attack from certain quarters. In response, Carrie McDermid’s proposer reminds us that she has spearheaded a highly successful omni channel ‘We Eat Balanced’ initiative to help reinforce the reputation of British red meat. Carrie has focussed on some of the ‘forgotten’ benefits of beef, lamb and pork from Britian. The campaign has triumphed over vegan adversity, exceeded KPI’s and delivered value growth. When Carrie first aired the TV advert, the anti-meat/vegan lobby groups raised over 500 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority to try and get it taken off air – making it the most complained about TV advert of the year. Yet, because Carrie had followed an evidence-based approach, AHDB was able to successfully defended the campaign against all complaints. This was a huge win, not just for AHDB, but for the entire British red meat supply chain and a credit to Carrie and her campaign.

NFU Senior Veterinary Adviser
(Animal Health & Welfare)
NFU

Claire White has been working as a vet in the agrifood supply-chain for all her career, beginning in farm practice before moving to the abattoir and meat processing sector, academia and now the NFU. Spanning all these roles is an enduring commitment to public health, food safety and animal health and welfare, in the context of sustainable and secure food systems – both in the UK and internationally. She is passionate in sharing her love for the industry in its diversity and opportunity, seeking ways to enable young professionals to access CPD and thought leadership, both through organising the City Food and Drink Lecture Future Generation Forum (FGF) event, held alongside the main lecture, and coordinating the Worshipful Company of Butchers Young Butchers initiative.

Senior Export Manager – Americas (Livestock)
AHDB

This proposer candidly admits that Susana has been with AHDB for “more years than I can remember.” A native of Spain (Menorca) she represents the British meat industry across the globe though most notably in the Americas. She has been instrumental in the reopening of the market in the USA for British Beef and British Lamb as well as new export markets for British Pork in Chile and Mexico. She is currently working on developing markets across the Americas including for all red meats in Canada and Pork in the Dominican Republic. The way forward for the UK is in exports and Susana is leading the charge.

Membership Manager
National Craft Butchers

As a membership-based organisation, keeping and developing members is critical to ongoing success. NCB members are artisans and skilled specialists, made up of independent butchers, farm shops, and small abattoirs, as well as key suppliers to the industry. Having joined NCB in January 2022 during a period of change, Sarah leapt into action playing an integral part of the new website launch and rebrand. Throughout her first 18-months of work both at NCB and within the meat industry she has shown passion and commitment for NCB members and wider industry.

Chief Executive Officer
IMTA

Katie originally joined The International Meat Trade Association (IMTA) without any trade knowledge, yet quickly developed a grasp of the industry and a knowledge of the complex world of trade related quotas. A baptism of fire followed with Brexit. Her rapid promotion to CEO occurred at a time of great change and uncertainty due to the Brexit negotiations, which had and continues to have a major impact on IMTA members. She has built a strong reputation and has developed a good team around her, gaining a healthy respect from all those she deals with.

Office Manager
Provision Trade Federation

The long standing office manager at the Provision Trade Federation is a core member of the team and is relied upon to keep the wheels turning in this important and much admired trade body. One proposer said: “Think PTF and you automatically think Penny McEntire Kemp. She is simply brilliant and someone we all rely on. She deals with enquiries efficiently and in a friendly fashion, and she has given years of loyal service. She is outstanding at her job and in her understanding and knowledge of member needs.”

Logistics Team Leader
MHP Food UK Limited

Dharmista is described as a person who always provides amazing service and is constantly willing to help both customers and team members. She is not afraid of challenges and her proposer says that she goes an extra 1000 miles (not just one extra mile) for delivery in her role as Logistics Team Leader. She is also well known for being a kind and thoughtful person. MHP is positive that she deserves an award – good luck Dharmista!

NPD & Technical Services Director
Dalziel Ingredients

Fran joined Dalziel Ingredients 23 years ago straight from university to work in what was then a NPD team of two people. Just three months after starting with the business, her then manager left the company and Fran inherited control of NPD. Today she heads an NPD & Marketing team of 20 people and a Technical Services team of seven. Fran has been instrumental in the growth of Dalziel Ingredients. Fran is described as being comfortable and engaged with discussions at both senior board level or on the production floor. Moreover, she always ensures the customers’ demands are exceeded and has instilled this culture throughout her team.

Business Development Manager
Eville & Jones

Ioana has been active in raising awareness about the incredible burdens that exporters have had to face since Brexit. She is highly valued for playing a key role in veterinary public health, successfully helping exporters deliver their products of animal origin throughout the world. Safeguarding the welfare of animals, ensuring food is safe to eat and enabling international trade to continue unfettered is all part of her achievements. She provides excellent technical support to the industry and guidance on SPS regulation (covering more than 255 exporters across UK). Ioana has been part of a remarkable period of achievement within a business that in less than 30 years has grown from a handful of vets to become the largest independent provider of veterinary controls in Europe.

Sales Manager
Leonards Ingredients

Polly started working for Leonards in February 2022 and the company report that ‘hand on heart’ they would be lost without her. Every customer, regardless of size, be it a small home user, a family butcher, or a large manufacturer, gets treated with exactly the same level of expertise and guidance. The business reports that her amazing organisational skills mark her out as an exceptional member of the team, and has meant that it has been able to streamline and improve customer service. Polly is described as a true team player, being happy to learn all aspects of the process flow, from product development through to quality control and even order picking and processing. One proposer said: “I am always amazed by her meticulous planning, attention to detail and timely completion of all services provided by Polly.”

Site Hygiene Manager
Atalian Servest/OCS group

Ruth Massey started her career working within HR at Woodhead bros, a subsidiary of Morrisons. Within the People Team, she excelled at everything she did, proving herself a very capable and determined individual. Ruth is extremely passionate about manufacturing and is a strong advocate of supporting women in a male orientated business. To be able to progress within meat manufacturing Ruth needed to understand every position on site and set herself the target of being the only female to work in every single department. She trained as a butcher on the beef line, within weeks mastered the skills required to become a trainee trimmer and then a full trimmer. Further progression followed and Ruth was consistently highly commended by her colleagues within Morrisons for her level of determination and professionalism. Ruth was adamant that by instilling Morrisons core values within the team she could turn the hygiene department around and create the most efficient team that the site has ever had – which she did!

National Account Manager – Fresh Meat
Bidfood

Michelle started with Bidfood in 2016 as a business manager at the Manchester depot and quickly moved into a specialist sales role within the fresh meat division. After seeing great success in this role, she achieved a promotion to Fresh Meat National Account Manager within the new business team. Michelle’s role was new to Bidfood and to date she has built a portfolio in excess of £26m and partners with high profile customers like P&O, Stena, Stonegate, Kew Green, IKEA and Bourne Leisure. Michelle has a natural passion for her role which is evident to everyone that works with her from customers and suppliers, through to her colleagues. She has a great mix of experience both as an operator within hospitality and now as a foodservice wholesaler.

Section Leader of Internal Sales
Danish Crown UK

Lisa is a true ambassador for Leivers, Danish Crown UK’s wholesale division. With 28 years in the business, she has developed a varied skill set and unprecedented knowledge of the meat industry, working her way up from Receptionist to Section Leader (internal sales team). Lisa is always happy to get stuck in, support the team and go the extra mile for customers. Her commitment to delivering best-in-class service, and her work in the local community, make Lisa an asset to the company and wider industry.

Sales Person
Forge Farm Meats ltd

Naomi starts work at 5.30am in morning and stays until 7.00pm and she volunteers for everything, including driving for two hours at the end of the day just to correct paperwork for her drivers. She will clean up the mess room for inspection just to help out, and she never stops working. All customers like her – even when she is asking for money! Lisa is an enthusiast for her job and the business and for her the company always comes first.

Senior KE Manager for Beef & Lamb
AHDB Beef & Lamb

Amy has worked for many years as part of the Knowledge Exchange (KE) team at AHDB before stepping into a senior leadership role with the organisation. She leads on some of the flagship events such as the Agri Leader training and Conference, and has thrived in that role. She was also the Chairperson for the British Cattle Breeders Society annual meeting in 2023, which was very well received. Amy is tenacious and has a no nonsense attitude. Her proposer commented: “As a farmer who has been managed by Amy in a past KE role and also someone watching her progress through the industry, I find this both refreshing and reassuring. If Amy says she’ll do something I know it will happen, and if she asks me to do something I know I won’t be let of the hook until it’s completed.”

HR Manager
ABP Ireland

Anne Marie is extremely dedicated her role as HR Manager at ABP Ireland. Her proposer reports that she has a relentless passion for excellence in all aspects of HR and is a brilliant people person. Always reliable and dependable, Anne Marie goes above and beyond to help her colleagues. She is instrumental and a valuable part of ABP onsite training and development programmes.

Learning and Development Manager
Gressingham Foods

Carrie is put forward as a fantastic L&D Manager at Gressingham Foods. The business has, for several years, developed a culture for learning, training and apprenticeships across a busy poultry environment. Carrie is highly conscientious, working with several training providers in the region on a wide range of initiatives and she has built up close links with schools and colleges to attract new talent to the company, often attending assembly’s and open evenings to promote the meat industry.

HR Manager
Dawn Meats

Niamh has been a breath of fresh air since her commencement with Dawn Meats over two years ago. She came to the business with a range of different experiences across multiple industries, covering different roles. Niamh’s current role is multi-sited and therefore it is key for her to be extremely organised in delivering a strong service. She is a key player in these sites and a real ‘go to’ person for all stakeholders. Training and education is a passion of Niamh’s within her current role as multi-site HR Lead and she has been a key ally to the Group Learning & Development Team in driving many training initiatives for the business. Niamh has supported a number of training initiatives on site such as English lessons for the company’s international and diverse workforce, supervisory management training, lean management training and she has also mentored some of the graduates who are considered future business leaders by the company. With a lovely bubbly personality that people immediately warm too, she is not afraid to challenge the norm and will always seek better ways to deliver education and training including dignity and respect at work.

Assessor
Craft Skills Scotland

Sarah is an external assessor for Craft Skills Scotland (CSS) covering butchery apprentices and abattoir staff. She has a great understanding of all of CSS processes and extensive knowledge of the training units. She is also someone not afraid to stand her ground when challenged by any longer term members of staff who may be a bit cynical towards a modern apprenticeship programme. She is patient with newer apprentices and also not scared to push the more ‘settled’ apprentices to help them meet their full potential. Sarah treats all apprentices as individuals and adapts her questions and methods to best suit the individual apprentice concerned. On any visit she makes, her forward planning and communication ensures that she gets a positive outcome for the candidate and the individual. Sarah is described as ‘hands on’ and will demonstrate to people the right way to do things which helps maintain the pace and success of her visits.

Administrator
M.E.A.T. Ipswich Ltd

Hannah’s proposer reports that she has worked tremendously hard since joining the team in February 2020. She has helped rejuvenate the learning platforms by introducing ‘Creative Learning Systems’ which is an interactive online educational platform. Hannah regularly keeps a keen eye on this to constantly update and develop training platforms so they meet current and future needs. She is also responsible for maintaining the business website and marketing. All this while creating continuous new content for the companies’ educational brochures for trainers to use with their learners. If you ask any of the team at M.E.A.T. they will all agree that Hannah really does go above and beyond to get things done at the office. She is the team player that others can rely on if they need support or help. Hannah is put forward as a young person projecting a fine example of someone displaying the right approach to having a successful career in the industry.

Group Food Safety and Quality Projects Manager
Dunbia

Julia’s career spans more than twenty years within the animal protein industry. She has an MSc in Meat Science and is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology. In Julia’s current role she actively develops and manages scientific and technical based projects across the group, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure innovation and best practice is delivered. Much of this involves encouraging young people to consider careers within the industry – something that Julia is hugely passionate about. She has been instrumental in the set-up of the company’s Food Safety & Quality Placement Programme, which has been designed to give placement students the right range of business and technical skills to succeed in their studies and future career. She is described as a real asset to both Dunbia and the meat industry, and her dedication to educating the next generation on the opportunities within our industry is invaluable.

Technical Manager
Campbell Brothers

Sarah has worked for Campbell Brothers for 13 years, and for the past eight years as its Technical Manager. Her role includes responsibility for planning and delivering food safety education and training across the business.  She is lead auditor for the business. As well as overseeing group training, Sarah is always willing to mentor individual employees. On recent example was a young employee in his first job, who was initially employed in a food hygiene role, and worked closely with Sarah to develop not only his knowledge, but also the confidence to move on to a more senior role and a clear career path. Her genuine concern that each individual is given the necessary support and proper training to progress, and her approachability in order to advise on any individual concerns, are key contributions to the business.

Butchery Trainer and Assessor
Crosby Management Training

Tara is described as a brilliant mentor by one of her proposers who completed Level 2 & 3 apprenticeship under her guidance with Crosby. She gives her students so much confidence and is a hard working individual that shares her passion for the industry with her apprentices. Tara is recognised as a great asset to the CMT team. She was instrumental in helping CMT gain a ‘Good’ grade from OFSTED and is now heading the butchery residential, while still working with apprentices all over the country.

Degree Apprentice – Manufacturing
Morrisons

Afifa joined Morrisons in 2020 as part of the Degree Apprentice Scheme and is working towards gaining a Business Studies degree, studying while working and is predicted to get a 1st. As part of her development programme she has worked in a number of operational departments within meat as well as spending 12-months working as part of the Technical Team. Her development is described as having been fantastic, moving from leading a team of QCs to more recently a role in New Product Development. This includes a variety of responsibilities and expands in many different areas from factory processing to organising taste panels and presentations for the commercial teams and business stakeholders. Her positive attitude has been key to building strong working relationship in a very short period of time. She is an integral part of the team and has a fantastic capability to seek and apply knowledge.

Packing Charge Hand
ABP Langport

Adeline is described as a star in the packaging area for the boning hall. She is put forward as a great example for all production operatives – especially female ones. Adeline has always been dedicated to her job and she is often the last person seen leaving production. All goes to show that if you love what you do it’s hard to tear yourself away! She is clearly a great example to others in a busy and often challening environment.

Livestock Technical Specialist
Morrisons / Woodhead Bros

Following her time on the Morrisons Manufacturing Graduate Scheme and then spending time in various roles across the manufacturing estate, Amanda has become an integral part of Woodheads Livestock team, always giving 110% into everything that she does with a refreshing can do attitude. Since starting in her role as Livestock Technical Specialist in September 2022, she has driven forwards the Morrisons Net Zero ambitions and projects within  Woodheads livestock supply chain, recognising the importance of working collaboratively with colleagues, suppliers and partners. Part of her success is down to her keen ability to think through the best way to do things, the other is her ability to build strong cross functional relationships with her team, suppliers and key stakeholders. Amanda’s nomination reflects her energy, commitment and overall contribution to the Morrisons team and her passion to promote British farming.

Operational Excellence Assistant
Pilgrim’s UK – Westerleigh

Jodie started working at the Westerleigh site as part of the packing team in March 2021. While working in that area, she demonstrated an outstanding willingness to learn and developed her computer literacy skills, which led to her being put forward as one of four site Innova super-user roles, only six months after joining the business. Along with the super-user role, reporting to the Operations Manager and the Operational Excellence Facilitator (OEF) Jodie has since gone on to be a fully-fledged OEF herself. She has continued to take on more and more responsibility and has developed very rapidly through her desire to learn, her enthusiasm for helping others, and her motivation to step outside of her comfort zone to develop and grow. She has demonstrated an exemplary mindset time and time again, acting on feedback, or showing humility in asking for help when she is not certain of what path to take. Her proposer said: “We are all very proud to have Jodie on the team and proud to see how she is growing and developing every single day.”

Monitor Farm Programme Manager
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS)

When you meet someone that is super impressive and confident without being conceited for the first time …..it is memorable. Beth Alexander, for a young female in the meat industry, holds all the cards for a very successful career in agriculture / food production. For someone so young she has an air of self-confidence that very few people possess. Integral to what QMS achieves in the ‘Monitor Farm’ projects, she leads from the front, communicates with her teams and colleagues, remains humble to all, although super knowledgeable, so that Monitor Farm is recognised as an important and all-encompassing project. Her proposer has no doubts that Beth will lead an organisation in the future and that she will fully deserve it when it comes.

Specification Coordinator
Karro Food Ltd

Kirsty joined Karro Food Ltd in 2021 as a Specification Technologist having worked for the previous few years in a quality role with Thomas the Baker. Karro quickly realised the potential that Kirsty had and made a plan to do everything it could to keep her within the business. Early in 2022 Kirsty was promoted to Specifications Coordinator to plan and organise all of the work that was being done by the small specifications team. Her nomination confirms that she has taken this role in her stride and has been recognised by customers as somebody that is trustworthy and prompt in responding to any and all requests. Karro has now put a development plan in place for Kirsty’s future within the business, to both grow her skills and to train her in all of the key roles within the department so that she is ready for the next stage in her career. Her proposer has no doubts that Kirsty will be a future Technical Manager, as she has both the ability and mindset to achieve it.

Environmental and Sustainability Officer
Linden ABP

Elizabeth first came into the Linden business as a graduate and from the start stood out as someone who was very adaptable, eager to learn and was willing to take on whatever task or placement that was given to her with equal enthusiasm. These placements included spending time in the Learning & Development team where Elizabeth demonstrated her ability to engage with employees from across the business while delivering key training courses. She has also spent time supporting the slaughter hall management team in trending and identification of offal yield improvements. Towards the end of the graduate programme she was identified as someone who could support a vacancy in the role of Environmental and Sustainability officer. In her role she has managed people for the first time and has built relationships and earned the trust of those in the various environmental agencies, and has been able to present sustainability plans to customers with confidence. Elizabeth has a great future in the business and has made the position her own through sheer determination, adaptability and willingness to learn.

Agri Tech Manager
ubloquity

Ellen was one of ubloquity’s first employees, appointed to the role of agri-tech manager. She graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a first class honours degree in agricultural technology. While on placement during her studies, she worked part-time on a pilot programme focusing on NI’s beef industry. She also undertook a placement year with McDonald’s, as a progressive young farmer. She is applying data analytics, using innovative techniques to drive efficiencies and operate her business in a more sustainable way. Ellen’s agri tech expertise is helping food manufacturers, in Northern Ireland and further afield, harness the power of the blockchain, by mapping their supply chains, and creating digital trust networks. Ellen also manages the relationship with Finnebrogue Artisan, one of the pilot partners in an innovative secure freight solution, designed to smooth the transportation of food between GB and NI called Atamai Freight.

Commercial Sales
Dunbia

Natalie joined Dunbia through its Brighter Futures Graduate Programme in a commercial role. Since then, she has flourished and shown huge potential to progress into a management position. She has an in-depth knowledge of all sectors of the business and shows a real passion for her job and sector as a whole, which shines through in all that she does. Natalie is well respected at all levels. She is able to lead the commercial team when required and since completing the graduate programme, Natalie has undertaken a mentoring course and now excels at mentoring graduates who are in the same position that she was just a few years ago. It is clear that Natalie has developed an excellent relationship with all departments and customers. She is calm under pressure and will go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the needs of her customers are met. As a result, she has shown that she has the aptitude to grow and develop accounts at various levels. With her strong work ethic and proactive approach, Natalie has a wealth of opportunities ahead of her.

Butchery Development Manager
Booker Group Ltd

Booker says that Letitia is an inspirational young woman! From joining as a branch assistant in Carlisle, to then joining the butchery team as an apprentice via the Booker development programme, she has gone from strength to strength. Her appetite for learning, and reach for excellence, has seen her progress through the ranks of the Booker programme to the very pinnacle of her craft – Master Butcher. Believed to be one of only two women accredited to this level in the UK, Letitia is also the youngest of all to attain the distinction. Not resting on her laurels, her passion now stretches to helping others and she has stepped into a national field role to support other colleagues across approximately 190 butchery departments, helping them to be the very best they can be. Not only is Letitia inspiring but it appears she is heading for the very top.

Technical Compliance Manager
Karro Food Malton

Leanne is described by her proposer as the epitome of a rising star. Having quickly risen through the ranks from a Factory Operative to Compliance Manager in less than 12-months, through grit, determination and enthusiasm, she has quickly become a leading member of the Technical Team at Karro Malton. She takes each day in her stride with energy and an infectious enthusiasm, and has won the hearts and minds of her colleagues and customers. She is the leader of the internal audit team, leads external audits and drives continuous improvements in the factory. Since moving into the Technical Team she is on the verge of completing an Apprenticeship in Food Technology with a distinction, and has taken a role working with Tasty Ambassadors to promote the Karro business and industry in schools and colleges. This is part of an outreach programme managed by the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink. She is now acting as the deputy to the department leader and has been accepted within this environment by the Senior Leadership Team.

H&S Coordinator
ABP Langport

Her proposer confirms that Roxana has done an amazing job at ABP Langport and has proven herself to be a great asset to the team. She originally started at ABP in production, but her dedication got her recognised and has helped her to thrive and become a great professional with an outstanding performance for the business.

Commercial Executive
Pilgrim’s UK

Over the last eight months Olivia has taken responsibility and full ownership for the Aldi snacking account and is excelling with the new responsibility, all this after less than two years in her commercial role. She has supported the launch of two new products, which are helping to support exceptional growth to the category. She always has a smile on her face, forms great relationships with all teams across several sites, and is willing to help anyone at any time. Olivia takes absolute ownership for her job role, and always goes above and beyond to see tasks through. Pilgrim’s UK believes that winning this award would give her the recognition that she deserves, as she is earmarked as potentially one of the company’s future leaders.

HR Officer
ABP UK

Rebecca has been working for ABP for coming up to three years. Over this time she has completed her Level 3 CIPD in People Practice. More recently she has received a promotion to HR Officer and is currently covering a HR Manager’s role while her manager is on maternity leave. Rebecca joined the world of HR after being made redundant from her previous employment due to Covid. She had no experience with HR practice and was unsure of her future career, but it has now become evident that she loves her job and hopes to continue growing and progressing in her career.

Regional Food Safety & Quality Manager
Dunbia

Joining Dunbia as a Quality Assurance Technician at the Dungannon site, Sarah’s potential was immediately apparent and after a short period of time she was offered a promotion into a supervisory role. Her ambitions were bigger than this though and instead she applied, and was accepted, onto the Dunbia Brighter Futures Graduate Programme, which entailed moving from Northern Ireland to the West Country. Placed at the company’s beef abattoir in West Devon; Sarah’s resolve saw her progress quickly through the programme and as soon as the opportunity arose she took on the role of the site Food Safety and Quality Manager. Sarah excelled in this position and a further opportunity arose shortly afterwards when the regional Food Safety and Quality Managers’ role became available. She took it on. She now manages the Food Safety and Quality Teams in both the West Devon and Treburley sites. Her desire and drive for new challenges and her determination and enthusiasm has led to her meteoric career trajectory and Dunbia sees a very bright future ahead for her.

Senior Development Technologist
Pilgrim’s UK

Stephanie Swinyard is part of Pilgrim’s UK New Product Development team and has always been a resolute contributor, but this year she has particularly outdone herself and successfully delivered the application of a new Recipe Professor costing model. This included taking the team through the process and helping with training, as well as taking her knowledge to other sites and helping them with their implementation. She ensured the project was delivered and everyone was supported from the word go. Her proposer commented: “There is no doubt that the project would have been more challenging if we did not have her support, diligence, hard work and determination. She has previously demonstrated our values of humility and simplicity, but now can show evidence of delivering determination and ownership.”