The 26th November marked a first for the Federation as we held this year’s AGM as an online event. Sadly, it also marked the first time in 72 years that we had not held an Annual Luncheon. Strangely it enabled more members to attend the event than over the last few years. Whilst the event is quite dry, it is an important process where the formalities are designed to protect the rights of our members, both large and small. It is where the non-executive board is elected, drawn from the membership, playing a vital role in the running of the Federation. Firstly, they hold me as CEO accountable for the effective running of the BFFF on behalf of our members. Secondly and more importantly they support me in creating the strategy and direction. I value this support immensely as the board’s combined experience, insight and wisdom is quite amazing. We have this year made a few minor changes to the rules that will give me, as CEO, some flexibility in bringing additional members onto the board to add to the depth of talent already available to support us.
For the AGM we issue a Chairman’s and CEO Annual report, for members to access their copy please click here.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport (DDCMS) have launched a consultation on a total ban on advertising of products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) online. This follows a similar consultation in January 2019 setting out proposals to restrict promotions of HFSS products by location and price. These restrictions could be part of a much larger ban on the promotion and positioning of products that fall under the HFSS category because in 2019 the Government ran a consultation around key selling locations but there was no out come to this process. The deadline for the consultation is 22 December, although we are calling for an extension to this deadline
The BFFF will work with other trade bodies on responding to this consultation.
If any member wishes to have input on this process, then please contact CEO Richard Harrow so that we can ensure your concerns are made clear in our response to Government.
At this year’s AGM we welcomed a new President and Chair of the non-executive Board, Ian Stone, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director of Wiltshire Farm Foods, part of the apetito group. Ian became the first Vice President and Chair early in 2020 and has been instrumental in supporting me through the most difficult of times since the pandemic hit.
Ian has a long history of being very active in the Federation, indeed I first met Ian when we both served on one of the “old” BFFF Committees. I think it is fair to say Ian is a strong advocate for frozen food, having been involved in the market over many years and is keen to support the work the Federation does in supporting members and the wider frozen food industry.
As you will read elsewhere Ian Stone stepped into the role of President and Chair of the Board. Also, at this year’s AGM we saw a number of new members elected to the BFFF non-executive Board. We are also delighted to welcome onto the Board Jose Neto of Cargill, who kindly agreed to be co-opted earlier in the year but has now become a full board member. Jose has already played an active role on the board and will bring a wealth of International experience. We also have a further two new board members, Steve Challouma General Manager of Nomad UK and Richard Pike Technical and Sustainability Director of Cook.
During the last 12 months Nick Redford stepped down from the board when he left Caterforce in January, and at the AGM last week Nigel Broadhurst and Wayne Hudson also left the board. I would like to extend my thanks to Nick, Nigel and Wayne for their support to myself and the Federation over many years, their input has been greatly appreciated.
Ian Stone
Ian Stone is Chief Commercial Officer of leading meals provider apetito. He has been with apetito since 2003 having previously held senior positions with Nestle and Pritchitt Foods.
Ian has been involved with the BFFF Board since 2013 and Vice Chairman for the past year. He is a passionate supporter and advocate for the benefits of frozen food.
Ian comments:
‘‘2021 is likely to be a tough year for our industry, and I am excited to be able to support and help our members navigate what promises to be a rocky path ahead.
Let’s not forget what a fantastic industry, frozen food actually is…. It is a dynamic, innovative sector that I am certain will continue to develop both its profile and importance within the retail and out of home settings’’
Steve Challouma
Steve Challouma is the General Manager of Birds Eye UK, the leading branded business in UK Frozen Foods, encompassing the Birds Eye, Aunt Bessie’s and Goodfella’s brands. He has spent nearly 25 years in the Frozen Food industry in a range of commercial roles spanning sales, marketing and category management, beginning his career at Unilever.
He is a passionate advocate of frozen food and its potential for reducing food waste – and is a supporter of key sustainability initiatives such as the Marine Stewardship Council, the UK Plastics Pact and the Veg Power programme to encourage children to eat more vegetables.
Quote: “I am delighted to be joining the BFFF Board during such a pivotal era in the evolution of the frozen food category. I am looking forward to working with the team to deliver further progress and realise the full potential of the industry.”
Jose Neto
Jose brings to the board his passion for the frozen food Industry and over 20 years’ experience in the sector, with extensive international experience in Management, Operations and Sales positions, gained from leadership experiences on multinational companies Jose worked for across the globe.
Prior joining Cargill Protein Europe in 2016, Jose had leadership and management roles in Europe, Australia and Brazil.
Jose holds an MBA from Westminster University in London, a post-graduation in Marketing from TAFE Australia and a Business graduation.
Proud father of 2 boys, Jose enjoys spending time with family, swimming and cooking a Rib Eye steak on the BBQ.
Richard Pike
I have been lucky enough to spend most of my working career of over 30 years working within the food industry. I have enjoyed wide-ranging product experience and have also had the opportunity to work within family businesses, multinational manufacturers and retailers and for the last 13 years of my career I have been working as the Technical and Sustainability Director for COOK.
Whilst I have been at COOK the business has grown from £15 to +£80 Million annual turnover, with a large element of this growth coming from our retail channel, which has seen our shop estate grow from 20 to 90 shops. In addition to our financial growth, our core purpose for why and how we run the business has gone from strength to strength and we became a founding member of the UK bcorp community.
I have led our efforts on improving our ingredient provenance through improving animal welfare and developing relationships with local growers along with driving change in our environmental performance, recently setting science based targets and our goal to be net zero by 2030.
I’m really pleased to be joining the board of the BFFF at a time when the benefits of frozen food are really coming to the fore and look forward to helping to support our industry wherever I can.
Ian Stone, the newly elected president and chair of the British Frozen Food Federation has used his maiden speech to call for renewed government support for members supplying foodservice and hospitality.
Speaking via video link to the Federation’s annual general meeting on Thursday (26 Nov) Mr Stone who is chief commercial officer and managing director of Wiltshire Farm Foods, part of the apetito group, said that many members may go out of business before recovery from the pandemic starts next year.
He commented: “I am particularly aware how challenging it must be for our members with exposure to the out of home market as they continue to bear the brunt of restrictions imposed by the Government.
“Unfortunately, the latest tier changes announced this week will not bring the hope that the out of home market has been looking for. The market is opening in name only and there is now a real danger that restrictions will result in swathes of pubs, restaurants and clubs – supplied by wholesalers and food manufacturers – going out of business before the eagerly anticipated vaccines arrive.”
He added: “We saw a positive impact from the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ campaign in August, only for the position to go into sharp reverse in only a few weeks. Many of our members have had minimal support from the Government and the Federation will continue to highlight these issues to all appropriate stakeholder contacts. We simply must see further support for the out of home sector.”
Mr Stone, who was elected at the AGM, takes over from previous BFFF president and chairman Nigel Broadhurst, who was until July, also joint managing director of Iceland Foods.
He praised Mr Broadhurst’s contribution, saying that the Federation would not be as strong today without his unstinting and unqualified support.
The new president also highlighted growing awareness of frozen food’s role in helping reduce food waste, saying that it is becoming ever more evident that food waste has a massive impact on the environment. From the depletion of natural resources in making food that is then thrown away, to the emissions created by the food waste itself. Reducing food waste will be key if the UK is to meet current net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
He also praised the industry saying: “Let us not forget what a fantastic, industry frozen food is. It is a dynamic, innovative sector that has confounded its critics over many, many years. Look at what Cook has done for frozen food retailing and how Bird’s Eye has revitalised the frozen food offer. And just recently we have seen Poundland acquire Fulton’s Foods frozen food as a key part of its transformation programme.”
The BFFF AGM normally takes place at London’s Hilton Park Lane hotel, ahead of the Federation’s annual luncheon which is attended by over 800 business leaders for the food industry. This year’s AGM was held via video link as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Mr Stone concluded by saying: “Thank you for listening and next year I do sincerely hope to be giving my second speech as president and chair from a stage in the London Hilton on Park Lane.”
The Food Standards Agency is looking for committed, highly capable and motivated individuals to become members of their Scientific Advisory Committees, Joint Expert Groups and Science Council. Members will work with the FSA to help ensure food produced or sold in the UK is safe, providing independent expert assessment of risks arising in food and from new food and feed products, additives, processes and packaging.
They are looking for around 17 new experts to further strengthen the expertise in their Scientific Advisory Committees and Science Council, ensuring that the UK’s regulation for food and feed safety continues to be informed by the best independent scientific advice.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday 4th January 2021
Please visit the FSA website for more information on the roles and how to apply.
A few reasons to become a member of BFFF
To find out more about becoming a member call 01400 283 095 or email the team
We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to BFFF members across our events throughout the year, with flexible packages that can be tailored to suit your business objectives.
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