The Voice
The Voice is FDF's quarterly newsletter for Government Ministers, shadow spokespeople and backbench
MPs.
It is published quarterly by the communications team here at FDF as a way of
raising awareness of our approach to key issues. The latest edition along with
back issues can be found in this area.
Each issue features a photograph taken at one of our member companies –
reflecting the theme of all our corporate materials. The picture on the front
cover of
the February issue was taken at Premier Foods, who have implemented a 'Five
Star
Environmental Award' scheme across their sites.
For more information on this newsletter or to request a hard copy of the latest
edition please contact Selga Speakman-Brown on 020 7420 7127 or Selga.Speakman-Brown@fdf.org.uk
The Latest Issue of The Voice - December 2011
In this issue
FDF sets out 20/20 Vision for Growth
The food and drink industry and Government launched a shared vision for 20%
growth in food and drink manufacturing by 2020 at FDF's President's reception
on
13 December.
This ambitious vision builds on work already underway to unlock the potential
of
the industry
in key areas such as securing new export markets; and ensuring that the food
and
drink
industry can attract and retain the skills and talent it needs over the next
few
years including in
critical areas such as food scientists and engineers.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, The Rt Hon Caroline
Spelman
MP said: “There are going to be huge opportunities for Britain's food industry
to supply
an increasingly hungry world in coming years and sell high quality products to
emerging
markets. That's why alongside manufacturers we're leading a range of
strategies,
focussed
on competitiveness, to drive economic growth. 2020 is a welcome project that
will fully
complement all the ambitious work we're doing.”
Her views were echoed by Business Minister Mark Prisk MP: “There is huge
potential for
growth in the food and drink sector. I welcome the industry's ambition to grow
their
sector by 20% by 2020 and ensure that food and drink manufacturing in Britain
has a
bright future.”
FDF Director General Melanie Leech said: “Research undertaken for FDF by Grant
Thornton
has helped us identify the major opportunities and barriers to our growth. It
is
clear that our
industry has formidable strengths: product quality, branding and our ability to
innovate are
among our key competitive advantages both in the domestic market and abroad. UK
food and
drink manufacturing companies already have an excellent track record in these
areas and a
high reputation for quality and we have used these as the base to develop our
vision.”
“The Grant Thornton report provides a wealth of information about our sector. In
the New Year we
will sit down with Government to unpack it further and to develop a detailed
plan to work towards
our shared vision and maximise our sector's potential to contribute to the UK
economy.”
We now look forward to the New Year and working with Parliamentarians to
achieve
our vision.
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Food industry pledges to double apprenticeship opportunities
The UK's food and drink manufacturing
industry has pledged to double the
number of apprentices in the sector
from 1700 to 3400 by the end of 2012.
Coming at a time when the industry is
seeking to replace up to 137,000 skilled
employees over the next five years,
the pledge is good news to individuals
seeking to learn new skills and
gain qualifications while building
their careers.
The pledge was announced by Tim
Campbell, winner of the BBC series
'The Apprentice', at FDF's Community
Partnership Awards (CPA) on 12
October. Tim, who is the Mayor of
London Boris Johnson's Ambassador
for Training and Enterprise, also
awarded CPA's first ever 'Apprentice of
the Year' which went to Kraft employee
Calum Marnock. This award reflects
the launch of FDF's careers campaign
'Taste Success - A Future in Food' and
our focus on developing talent.
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SME's discussed at All-Party Group dinner
The All-Party Parliamentary Food
and Drink Manufacturing Group held
a dinner with the theme 'SMEs an
engine for growth', attended by 12
MPs and Peers, including the Shadow
Environment Secretary Mary Creagh MP,
as well as SME representatives from
FDF's membership.
The lively debate centred around three
key areas that determine the ability of
SMEs to grow: market drivers; building
capacity; and barriers to growth. Those
attending heard that whilst SMEs can
be more agile and fleet of foot, they
need the freedom to operate without
government intervention and red tape
to optimise innovation and growth
opportunities. Exporting support along
with access to a flexible labour pool
were highlighted as priorities along
with a common concern around severe
pressure on margins at this time.
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Food and drink showcased at BIS
The potential of food and drink was showcased at a series of events and an
exhibition at
the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in Victoria Street from
14-25
November.
Organised by FDF, the fortnight
of activities included product
tastings from member companies
including Coca Cola Great Britain,
Kraft Foods, Nestlé, General Mills,
Vimto and apetito; competitions
and give-aways; and 'fringe
events' which included a careers
seminar to promote the industry's
drive to recruit the next generation
of engineers and scientists.
At the careers seminar, 'Attracting Talent to Support Growth,' apprentices Faye
Hudson and Chris Brown from Kraft Foods, and Tom Walden from Nestlé UK, shared
their top tips for securing an apprenticeship in the food industry. With
approximately
1000 candidates going for every six apprentice vacancies, competition is tough.
Those attending felt more could be done in schools to help prepare for the
world
of
work and raise awareness of all the career opportunities on offer.
Minister for Business and Enterprise, Mark Prisk visited the showcase on Monday
21 November. Speaking ahead of the visit he said: “This showcase reflects the
scale
of the work that is being carried out by the industry to really grow its
potential and
maintain the UK's position as a world leader in innovation, safety and
sustainability
in food production.”
It is estimated that FDF was able to showcase our industry to over 3000 visitors
during the fortnight, really communicating the strength of our industry,
potential for
further growth and contribution to the economy.
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Forward look – Groceries Code Adjudicator
Following the Government's response to the BIS Select Committee report on the
Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) (Time To Bring On The Referee) FDF is looking
forward to the publication of the formal bill.
FDF has lobbied on the issue since the Competition Commission (CC) first
investigated unfair practices. More recently, we successfully argued to the BIS
and
EFRA Select Committees for financial penalties for those who violate the Code
and
that trade associations should be able to submit evidence.
Although the Government rejected these recommendations, if the adverse effect
on competition identified by the CC is not remedied, research, innovation and
investment, and ultimately the consumer will suffer. FDF is keen to work with
parliamentarians to ensure we end up with an adjudicator with teeth.
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More Information
For more information please contact Selga Speakman-Brown on 020 7420 7127.
The Voice - (January 2012) - pdf | 190kb
Past Issues of The Voice
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Last reviewed: 12 Jan 2012