This webinar explores how integrating modern technology can empower organisations to align their goals with profitability in food production.

Participants will gain insights from real-world examples of innovative recycling and waste management strategies that transform food waste into valuable resources like biogas, animal feed, and fertilizer, showcasing the potential for high recycling rates and waste reduction while creating new revenue streams.

Sign up for the webinar here

Company Shop Group, the UK’s leading and longest-standing redistributor and retailer of surplus products and part of the Biffa group, has appointed Chris Burns as its new Group Managing Director.

Chris will assume leadership of the business on Monday 3rd February, when he will begin work to increase Company Shop Group’s offering to the industry in supporting the UK to reduce waste, redistribute surplus and enable the circular economy through the wider Biffa group. He brings a wealth of retail experience, most recently as Board Member and Commercial Director at Jollyes, the UK’s fast-growing pet specialist retailer.

During his four and a half years at Jollyes, Chris played a pivotal role in the company’s expansion strategy, doubling its retail footprint to over 100 stores nationwide. His leadership was instrumental in revamping the customer offer, delivering market-beating performance and attracting new investment for future growth.

Prior to Jollyes, Chris held senior positions at several major UK retailers, including Trading Controller at Poundland and Head of FMCG at Wilko, as well as senior buying roles at Asda and Tesco.

Originally from Northern Ireland, Chris grew up in Omagh and attended Queen’s University Belfast where he studied Food Science. He currently lives in Yorkshire with his wife and two daughters.

Maxine Mayhew, Chief Operating Officer at Biffa, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Chris to Company Shop Group and the Biffa Group. His proven track record in retail leadership and commercial strategy aligns perfectly with our vision for the future. Biffa is committed to enabling a circular economy and delivering more sustainable solutions to help combat the UK’s waste challenge, and Company Shop Group plays a vital role in leading surplus redistribution and supporting us to deliver on our sustainability strategy. Chris’s extensive experience in driving business growth and enhancing customer propositions will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our position as the UK’s leading surplus redistributor.”

Chris added: “Company Shop Group is a brand that I’ve long admired, leading the charge in surplus solutions and continually investing in innovation to support the industry long-term. The organisation plays a vital role in the FMCG retail and manufacturing supply chain, helping manufacturers and retailers to solve their surplus challenges, while providing our members with quality products at discounted prices. I am thrilled to be taking the helm and I look forward to working with the team to further develop our offer and expand our impact for people, the planet and our stock partners.”

Company Shop Group handles surplus across all categories and in any format, from work-in-progress to finished products, providing financial, social and environmental returns. If you have surplus stock, contact the team now at companyshopgroup.co.uk.

 

Imports from Hungary into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) of the following sheep and goat commodities are suspended following an outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR):

• live animals

• germplasm

• raw milk and raw milk products (including raw colostrum)

• untreated wool and hair

• fresh or chilled (untreated) skins and hides

 

Further information is available on GOV UK and in the Hungary section of the following lists of EU and EFTA countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain:

• live ungulates

• ovine and caprine ova and embryos

• ovine and caprine semen

• milk and milk products

 

Safeguard declarations for untreated wool and hair and fresh or chilled (untreated) skins and hides from Hungary have been published at  Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues.

 

Individuals cannot bring any sheep or goat milk and milk products from Hungary into Great Britain for personal consumption.

 

If you have consignments of Hungarian commodities affected by this suspension, contact the Port Health Authority or Local Authority (PHA/LA) at the consignment’s point of entry into GB. Find the Border Control Post and the PHA/LA contact information on this map or list.