FDF appoints new director general
The UK’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has appointed Ian Wright as director general. Wright, who was corporate relations director with drinks company Diageo, will join the FDF before Easter.
He succeeds Melanie Leech who left the organisation just before Christmas to join the British Property Federation. Jim Moseley, a former president of the federation who has been acting as director general since Leech’s departure, will continue in the role until after Wright is installed.
President of the FDF, Fiona Kendrick, says, “Ian has huge experience in the food and drinks industry and is ideally qualified to champion the sector during a period of extraordinary change.
“Ian’s role will be to ensure that government and stakeholders understand the importance of food and drink manufacturing, and support our industry to meet the changing needs of UK consumers in the future.
“Jim Moseley has injected real passion and commitment into the role. We are grateful that he has agreed to stay with FDF until the end of the month to ensure a seamless transition.”
Wright has spent more than two decades in senior management positions and has also worked for other food businesses including Pillsbury, Burger King and Mars Confectionery.
He comments, “The food and drink industry is a national asset of which everyone in the UK should be justly proud. It is responsible for 400,000 jobs and with an £80 billion contribution to the economy, the industry is critical to the UK. It’s a privilege to be asked to lead its representative body and to be its advocate in the important challenges to come.”