FDF Awards 2017 shortlist announced
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has announced the shortlist for the Food and Drink Federation Awards 2017.
Ian Wright CBE, director general of the Food and Drink Federation, says, “FDF is proud to showcase the talent and hard work of such a diverse mix of people, companies and organisations. Selecting the shortlist has been no easy task, but our expert judging panels have chosen remarkable finalists.”
This year’s category sponsors are Santander, General Mills, Kite Packaging, Grant Thornton, Omron, Aktrion Food, Sheffield Hallam University, and PepsiCo.
FDF Awards 2017 shortlist:
Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by AKTRION FOOD): Bidfood – Elise Rawlins, Mondelēz International – Aaron Taylor, Mondelēz International – Ellie Marsh, Nestlé UK & Ireland – Calum Finn, Unilever Food Solutions – Megan Whitehouse, Weetabix Food Company – Tom Bird
Campaign of the Year: Birds Eye – Captain Birds Eye Campaign, KP Snacks – McCoy’s: When Flavour Calls, Mars Chocolate UK – Maltesers celebrates diversity with ads that Look on the Light Side of disability, Premier Foods – Dysphagia Chef of the Year Programme, SlimFast – Works for Me, Spirax Sarco – Steam as an Ingredient
Community Champion (sponsored by Santander): Auntie Val’s Kitchens Community Interest Company – Val Challis, Central England Co-operative – Neil Matthews, Ferrero UK – Wendy Staples, Coca-Cola European Partners Ltd – Victoria Prowse
Community Partner (sponsored by General Mills UK Ltd): apetito – Working in partnership with the Trowbridge’s senior community, British Sugar – Values in Action Programme, Calbee – Community Engagement Programme, Coca-Cola Great Britain – ParkLives, Mondelēz International – Health for Life, Plan Bee Ltd – #GenerationBee
Education Initiative: Central England Co-operative – SENse to Aspire Scheme, Ferrero UK – Move and Learn, Perth College UHI – Continuous Professional Development for Teachers and Lecturers – Food and Drink Manufacturing in Scotland, Radnor Hills Mineral Water Company – Healthy School Drinks Project, Weetabix Food Company – Apprenticeship Launch and Education establishment links, Working Options in Education
Environmental Leadership (sponsored by Kite Packaging): Agrico UK Ltd – Arsenal becomes a ‘medicine for the land’, Mars UK – Moy Wind Farm, Mars Food UK – New Office, Melton Foods in partnership with Veris Strategies – Cultivate – Sustainable Growth at Melton Foods, PepsiCo UK – 50 in 5, WRAP – The Courtauld Commitment 2025, The Wrigley Company – Waste to Boots and Energy
Exporter of the Year (sponsored by Santander): Bfree Foods, Crème d’Or Limited, Franklin & Sons, Loch Duart, Ramsden International, Suma Wholefoods, Wyke Farms
Food and Drink Engineer of the Year (sponsored by Sheffield Hallam University): The Wrigley Company – Jamie McLaren, The Wrigley Company – Sarah Cain, Weetabix Food Company – Kevin Bates
Food and Drink Scientist of the Year: Mars Chocolate UK – Mike Zietek, Rowett Institute – Wendy Russell, Victor’s Drinks – Dimitris Papaoikonomou
Good Employer: Ashbury Labelling – Employee Benefits Programme, Huffkins – Employee Development and Training Programme, KP Snacks – Achieving Together, Reading Scientific Services Ltd – Great Place to Work
Health: Danone Nutricia Early Life Nutrition, Kerry Taste & Nutrition – TasteSense, Nom Noms World Food, Nutripot Nutrition Ltd – Healthy fast food on the go, Soupologie – Three Mushroom Broth
Innovation (sponsored by Omron): Addo Food Group – Expanding the gluten-free pastry market, apetito – Purée Petite, Belvoir Fruit Farms – Wine without the hangover, Calbee – Yushoi, Green Lizard Technologies – Novel purification of vegetable oils using a vitamin based approach, Kerry – DairySource, Nom Noms World Food – High Protein Hot World Wraps, Sticksology – T-Sticks
Rising Star (sponsored by PepsiCo UK): Addo Food Group – Gemma Thornton, Addo Food Group – Sophie Bohanan, Bidfood – David King, Bidfood – Sarah Whiddett, Weetabix Food Company – Molly Smith
Nicola Thomas, head of Food & Drink sector, Santander Corporate & Commercial, says, “We are also very pleased to be able to offer the six finalists in the Exporter of the Year Award the opportunity to have a bespoke export strategy session with the Santander Food & Drink Sector team to support them with the next phase of their international development.”
The awards will be taking place on 21 September at The Brewery in London.
The shortlist for the Regional Growth Business category has also been announced. The category is split by geographical area and sponsored by Grant Thornton UK LLP.
The Award is divided into five sub-categories: Central & Northern England, South East England, South West England, Scotland & Northern Ireland, and Wales. The finalists, selected by a panel of judges, highlight both the geographic range and innovative work of the sector.
Regional Growth Business (sponsored by Grant Thornton UK LLP):
- Central & Northern England: Beckleberry’s, Sleaford Quality Foods, T Soanes and Son, Tommy Tucker, The Yorkshire Wagyu Company Ltd
- South East England: Bakedin, The Bread Factory, Huffkins, Joe & Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn, Salter’s Must Chup Sauces, Simply Ice Creams
- South West England: Friska, The Great British Biscotti Company, Mr Lee’s Noodles Company
- Scotland & Northern Ireland: Loch Duart, Mash Direct, Nairn’s Oatcakes, Robertson’s Fine Foods, Willowbrook Foods
- Wales: Clarks – The Natural Sweeteners, Dawn Meats, Lovemore Free From Foods, Radnor Hills Mineral Water Company, Tiny Rebel, Village Dairy
Trefor Griffith, head of food and beverage, Grant Thornton UK LLP, comments, “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Growth Business category again this year. To ensure the food and beverage sector continues to thrive, organisations need to focus on stimulating sustainable growth and it is encouraging to see such a broad range of companies included in the shortlist for this award.
“The regional variety displays both the strength and reach of the sector across the UK and the important role it plays within the economy.”
