Annual Review 2010: Promoting a British Success Story
Competitiveness: focusing on growth
The decision in 2010 to develop a separate
Competitiveness workstream has provided the
organisation with a clearer focus in this important area.
The Competitiveness Steering Group developed its
initial priorities recognising the need to raise the profi le
of the sector and its strategic importance; to reposition
the sector as a 'career of first choice'; and to work with
the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
to ensure that industrial policy and strategy refl ected
the interests of food and drink manufacturing.
Our research project with the Institute for Manufacturing
(IfM) at the University of Cambridge helped us to
develop a more meaningful and hard-hitting narrative
around the value and importance of our sector. The
'Value of Food and Drink Manufacturing to the UK (pdf, 1.6Mb) '
report launched at our annual summer Parliamentary
reception provided independent evidence to underpin
our lobbying activity. The second report, 'Future
Scenarios for the UK Food and Drink Industry (pdf, 3Mb)', was
launched at a well-received stakeholder event in
October with a panel discussion on the future of the
sector. Both reports provided a timely reminder of
our sector's importance in helping rebalance the UK
economy and the future challenges we face.
We were delighted to see our sector highlighted in
the Government's Advanced Manufacturing Growth
Review in November. We believe that through genuine
partnership between our industry and Government we
can build the right framework for our sector to play a
leading part in the economic recovery of the UK and
we have been in discussions with senior offi cials from
the Treasury, BIS and DEFRA about priority actions to
tackle the barriers to growth. We are hopeful that our
leadership will help set the foundations for an ongoing
dialogue between Government and business where
longer-term solutions are needed.
It is clear that improving the image of the sector,
attracting new talent and upskilling existing workforces,
exporting overseas, reducing the burden of regulation
and increasing investment in research and development
will all help. Optimising our export potential will be an
ongoing priority for 2011 – building on our success in
passing the £10billion mark for the fi rst time in 2010
after six years of unbroken growth.
Our work in leading the skills debate with the launch
of our careers campaign 'Taste Success – A Future in
Food' will continue to be an important theme for 2011,
as will our call for the right skills framework to equip
industry with the technical skills we need to grow and
innovate. This builds on the successful work that SFDF
started in 2010.
Our work behind the scenes has enabled us to
shape many important debates covering changes in
employment regulation, occupational health and safety
including showcasing our success in this area. With the
next round of reform of the European Union's Common
Agricultural Policy imminent, effective policy formation
and lobbying will remain a high priority in 2011. We are
preparing our policy position and lobbying strategy in
advance of legislative proposals, ensuring the voice of
the food and drink industry is infl uential in the debate.
Next page: Championing the food and drink sector
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