The purpose of the Virtual Trade Mission is fourfold:

1. To help promote Ukrainian exports – Ukraine is open for business notwithstanding the war with Russia.
2. To publicise and explain how the reconstruction program will be implemented once the fighting has stopped and the opportunities that there will then be for exporters.
3. There will be short, pragmatic presentations by: the ICC Ukraine, the ICC UK, DHL, DHL GoTrade, IncoDocs, IC&Partners, The British Chambers of Commerce’s ChamberCustoms …. and others. All explaining the opportunities that are on offer and how to benefit from them.
4. Their presence will show much needed solidarity with Ukraine.

The benefits to British companies are:

1. Diversification of your supply chain. (and the UK government signed the two free trade agreements mentioned above to facilitate bilateral trade).
2. By understanding the export opportunities that will definitely come, they can better prepare for the scramble for contracts that will inevitably come – get ahead of the queue.

As part of the sponsorship agreements that ICC has obtained, they are able to offer:

1. Free registration as delegates to representatives of British companies and organisations.
2. Free allocation of virtual stands to members of the BFFF. (There would normally be a charge of £249+VAT.)

How to Participate?

1. To participate as a delegate, you simply have to register.
2. To take the offer of having a virtual stand, choose that option, then when you get to the payment page, just use the coupon VTMUAUKFREE and the cost will be reduced to zero.

For more information, please visit ICC Ukraine’s website – or register today – 

Brakes, the UK’s leading foodservice wholesaler, has announced a package of activity to support care home caterers to deliver a Christmas to remember.

The company has developed a section on its award-winning website to include a range of downloadable recipe cards and menu planners, delivering inspiration for care home caterers looking for innovative Christmas recipes. It has also added themed quizzes that can be downloaded to provide residents with some festive fun.

As part of the campaign, Brakes’ development chef, Olli Smith, has developed a new video that shows care caterers how to adapt the traditional Christmas dinner into an IDDSI Level 4 meal.

Paul Nieduszynski, Chief Executive Officer for Sysco GB, said: “Christmas is a really important time for care home residents and making sure that Christmas food meets their needs and expectations is crucial for a successful festive season.

“It’s vital that, even when a person can no longer eat a meal with the regular texture, caterers have the knowledge and confidence to adapt a meal so that all residents can enjoy the Christmas meal together. Our Christmas package will help care homes to not only create great dishes, but also provide some fun while they eat it!”

Food ingredients specialist, Brusco, has appointed Mark Armstrong as its new Managing Director replacing Andrew Ashby who has been Managing Director since acquiring the business in 2015.

Mark took up the helm at Brusco on 18^th November and builds on a career of successful management positions, including most recently Managing Director of Nutrisure the UK’s leading superfood brand and ingredients company.

As well as holding the positions of Sales Director of Orchard Pig Cider, quadrupling revenue in 2 years leading to its sale to C&C and Head of Sales at Nelsons, making Teetha the No1 teething brand in the UK, Mark spearheaded the launch of sugar free Red Bull into the UK. His appointment represents a significant milestone in Brusco’s growth and development.

Mark will lead the Brusco team in their mission to be the preferred food ingredients partner for customers seeking collaborative supplier relationships that deliver value, insight and great service.

Mark Armstrong, Managing Director of Brusco, said: “I am delighted to be joining Brusco as the new Managing Director. For many years I’ve driven customer focused growth strategies for various brands within the food industry. I look forward to bringing new ideas to Brusco and working together with our valued customers.”

“I’m excited for what the future holds and look forward to leading our talented team to success.”

Mark’s appointment sees Andrew Ashby take on the role of CEO for Olidor Group Ltd, where he will lead the continued growth of the group. In addition to Brusco, Olidor Group includes Karimix UK Ltd, The Original Baker Ltd, Porter Foods and The Artful Baker.

Andrew Ashby, CEO of Olidor Group, commented: “We’re delighted to have appointed a talent like Mark to lead Brusco through its next phase of growth. Mark brings a wealth of industry expertise which we believe will add significant value to our customers.”

For further information, visit the Brusco website: www.brusco.co.uk

Karen McQuade, the newly elected president of the British Frozen Food Federation, called in her maiden speech for members to engage in the debate around raising the standard temperature for frozen food.

Addressing the Federation’s annual lunch on November 19, McQuade said that there is a compelling environmental case for raising the standard – which has been set at -18 degrees since the frozen food industry was born 100 years ago.

Karen McQuade said: “Our freezers have been set to -18 for a century, is now the time to consider turning the temperature up? We can reduce emissions and save energy by moving to a higher temperature, but it’s not a simple switch.

“Raising the temperature for frozen food storage to -15 could reduce energy consumption and cut global emissions by 17.7 million metric tonnes annually, the equivalent of removing 3.8 million cars from the road.”

The BFFF has been involved with research into the question of increasing the standard temperature since 2009, and earlier this year it joined the international coalition The Move to -15°C.

Karen McQuade said that it’s now time for the industry to engage in a frank discussion about whether the standard is still fit for purpose and what potential changes could be made to improve sustainability.

“The first step is to fill in the gaps in scientific research supporting the temperature shift. Research is already underway. Earlier this year Nomad Foods conducted an 18 month study which found no significant changes in food quality or safety within the categories tested at -15”, she said. “However more research is needed to understand the impact on delicate food categories.

“I hope more than anything that next year I can stand here with news that we have moved closer to a safe and stable new standard temperature globally.”

The new president also highlighted the challenges the industry faces in terms of changing consumer attitudes and addressing a widespread lack of freezer space in homes, and the role the sector can play in helping reduce food waste.

UK Foodhall Ltd founder McQuade was elected president at the BFFF AGM on November 13, succeeding Ian Stone, who had been in post since December 2020.