Winners of FDF Awards 2022 announced

Representatives from across the food and drink industry, politics and the media celebrated the fantastic achievements of companies and individuals and the positive contributions they have made to our sector over the past year.

Chief Executive of the Food and Drink Federation Karen Betts OBE said:

“This year’s awards bought together over 200 nominees across 19 categories, showcasing the very best of our industry. The judges had an invidious task in choosing winners from an extremely strong field – from companies driving new sustainability initiatives to championing employee wellbeing, as well as embracing new technologies and supporting cutting-edge skills development in their teams. 

“The food and drink sector is based within communities right across the UK’s nations and regions, and these awards really demonstrate how our great companies continue to bring great fantastic products to consumers in challenging times. Congratulations to all the winners, I’m already looking forward to next years ceremony!”

Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer Markets, Retail and Leisure, KPMG, said:

“KPMG is delighted to support the showcasing of the UK’s renowned food and drink industry.  These awards highlight the strength and innovation taking place right throughout the supply chain, and the talent of those working in continually challenging and changing times for the sector.”

Jay Rayner, Host of the FDF Awards 2022 said:

“This is my fourth year presenting the FDF Awards, and it's always a great event which celebrates the best of the industry. Congratulations to all the winners here this evening, and well done to everyone who was nominated for an award.”

The FDF Awards 2022 winners are as follows:

• Apprentice of the Year - sponsored by Tork: Caitlin Jones - Co-op Food
   Richard Laursen - Unilever UK & Ireland
• Brand Launch of the Year - sponsored by International Food & Drink Event (IFE): Mars Food - Ben’s Original™ Evolution
• Business Resilience- sponsored by KPMG: Fresh Pastures & SMUK
• Campaign of the Year: Birds Eye - Proud to Power Team GB 
• Community Partner - sponsored by The British Standards Institution (BSI): FoodCycle - the return to Community Meals
• Diet and Health: Nestlé UK & Ireland - Garden Gourmet UK. Health focussed plant-based range
• Digital Transformation- sponsored by KPMG: Foods Connected and Hilton Food Group
• Education Initiative: Britvic plc - Britvic’s supported internships
• Emerging Business: Sessions
• Environmental Leadership - sponsored by Powerstar: apetito Ltd - Leading the Way with Net Zero Carbon Strategy
• Exporter of the Year- sponsored by 4C: Belvoir Farm Drinks Ltd
• Food and Drink Engineer of the Year- sponsored by Sheffield Hallam University: Laetitia Rynhoud - Jordans Dorset Ryvita
• Food and Drink Technologist  / Scientist of the Year sponsored by Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST): David Lloyd – Huel
• HR Initiative- sponsored by KPMG: PepsiCo UK - Frontline Home Grown Accelerated Development Programme
• Manufacturing Initiative- sponsored by Redzone: Koolmill - NextGEN Rice Milling
• Product Innovation- sponsored by Clarke Energy: THIS™ - Fat 2.0
• Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist of the Year: Rebecca Deeley - Tillery Valley Foods, Part of the Joubere Food Group
• Rising Star- sponsored by PepsiCo UK: Declan Henderson – apetito
• Sustainable Packaging Initiative- sponsored by Water Plus: apetito Ltd - Boomerang: a first for large-scale closed loop recycling