Industry future discussed at House of Commons

 

Influence comes in many forms and this week Phipps attended the Annual Parliamentary Reception of UK’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF) at the heart of British politics, the House of Commons. As the FDF’s communications partner we met with members of parliament including chairman John Stevenson MP and representatives from some of the UK’s most influential food and drink brands to exchange insights and opinions on many of the issues faced by the industry. 

 

Britain’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Food at Defra, Jim Paice MP, raised the issue probably most relevant to many of our clients - how to attract young talent. As a sector that represents over 15% of manufacturing turnover and employment, we need to fend off competition from other areas, and increase investment in training and education in order to make sure the industry attracts the bright sparks of the future. These ambitions tie directly into the FDF’s Taste Success apprentice scheme, designed to attract school leavers and graduates into the industry by showing how the sector is leading the way in terms of innovation, training and development. 

 

Catching-up and networking with the All-Party Parliamentary Food and Drink Manufacturing Group, which co-hosted the event, brought up a number of other issues the FDF is actively championing – from re-formulation and nutrition to health and agriculture. As they say, a lot of food for thought.

Industry future discussed at House of Commons
 

Posted by Lynne Shirley