FDF partners with The Quorum Principle to boost UK manufacturing

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has announced a three-year partnership with The Quorum Principle to deliver free, co‑designed training aimed at improving operational performance across the UK food and drink manufacturing sector.

The Quorum Principle helps manufacturers work more efficiently by bringing teams and technology providers together. It breaks down internal barriers and encourages solution providers to collaborate, so everyone works towards the same goals.

Through this partnership, FDF will serve as The Quorum Principle’s dedicated partner for UK food and drink businesses, providing members with access to its training programme.

Speaking at The Quorum Principle’s event, “The importance of Food & Drink Manufacturing Sector to the UK Economy”, FDF CEO Karen Betts introduced the initiative and highlighted how it supports FDF's ambition to foster innovation, sustainable growth, and investment in automation, AI, and smart factory technologies. This comes alongside FDF’s recent “Ambition for Growth” strategy, which aims to unlock up to £14 billion in sector growth through digital transformation.

Karen Betts, Chief Executive, The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), said:

“This partnership gives our members access to world-class training in the collaborative delivery of smart factories and digital projects. By empowering manufacturers with the skills needed to drive future-ready factories, sustainability, and growth, this collaboration provides practical support to access the £14bn growth opportunity available to the UK food and drink industry.”

John Robinson, Creator of The Quorum principle said:

“The Food and Drink sector is the UK’s largest manufacturing vertical and the one that I have the most experience in. The partnership with the Food and Drink Federation is very exciting because it gives us an opportunity to make a real impact in the sector and set a global benchmark. I am looking to forward to working with the FDF and their members in 2026 and beyond.”

FDF members interested in learning more about The Quorum Principle can email Tanya Barringer.