Climate, food and sustainability are colliding. The time for transformation is now.
Across the UK and beyond, a dynamic group of food industry professionals – retailers, manufacturers, brands, farmers and NGOs – are stepping up to reshape the future of food. From Procurement, Supply Chain & Sustainability Managers to Marketing experts, Commercial graduates and Human Rights Directors, this diverse cohort is aligned on disrupting the status quo.
Future Food Movement’s 7-week virtual Sustainability Accelerator is bringing together these trailblazers to drive systemic change. Here’s why some of them joined, and why you should consider joining too.
Laura Fernandez, Senior Sustainability Manager, Ocado Retail Ltd
With a background in packaging sustainability, Laura saw the Accelerator as an opportunity to deepen her knowledge and meaningfully embed sustainability into her organisation, while connecting with like-minded professionals. She believes that leaders of tomorrow need to act with urgency, ambition and impact while looking to the future to ensure that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge, skills and determination to contribute contributing positively to sustainability.
“Sustainability is my passion. I want to upskill myself to ensure I deliver and drive our strategy to the best of my ability as well as making sustainability part of our organisation’s DNA.”
Advice to CEOs: Time is running out—we need to act now!
Charlotte May, Commercial Graduate Scheme, Premier Foods
A lifelong advocate for the planet, Charlotte’s studies in CSR, sustainability and ESG fuelled her commitment to food system change. The Accelerator provided a space for her to discuss these issues with like-minded professionals and explore how food companies can take real action. Charlotte believes the next generation needs to be in touch with the reality of climate change and the consequences of what happens if we do nothing. She hopes this will spark positive action from passion, concern and meaningfulness, rather than just ticking a box.
“The leaders of tomorrow must be brave enough to go against the norm, speak up, and take meaningful action.”
Advice to CEOs: You hold immense power – leverage it to create a sustainable future. Money means nothing if we don’t have a planet to trade in.
Glen Wolting, Director Human Rights, Ahold Delhaize
Having recently entered the sustainability space, Glen joined the Accelerator to deepen her understanding of key issues. She emphasises the importance of being a driver of change – even before customers and clients demand it.
“Future leaders must dare to have unpopular opinions and be the drivers of change – even when customers and clients are not asking for the change (yet).”
Advice to CEOs: Rethink what profit means to you since profitability should be not only focused on the financial results of your business.
Nick Henderson, Procurement, Supply Chain & Sustainability Director, Belazu
Nick is passionate about driving positive change in food sustainability, particularly in addressing climate change, food security and ethical supply chains. He sees the Accelerator as an opportunity to collaborate, innovate and embed sustainability into business strategy. He believes businesses need to focus on bringing in young entrepreneurial talent with a thirst for knowledge – while also training and mentoring them to develop creative thinking and empowered decision-making.
“Future leaders will need to be resilient, collaborative, purpose driven and understand the relationships between environmental, social and economic factors in their decision making.”
Advice to CEOs: Sustainability is a business driver, not a nice to do.
Zoe Plummer, Head of Marketing, Fairtrade
For Zoe, it’s about driving positive change to make the food system fairer and more sustainable for all. She says The Fairtrade Foundation are keen to foster collaborative relationships across the industry to tackle the big issues at the heart of food supply chains, including climate change and human rights.
She passionately believes that diversity and inclusion should be front and centre in all businesses approach to developing future leaders. Representation of people from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and identities is critical in solving complex issues like food security, sustainability and cultural relevance.
“Diversity and inclusion must be central to future leadership – representation is key to solving complex global challenges.”
Advice to CEOs: Listen to the farmers and food workers at the heart of your supply chains. Many food businesses rely heavily on overseas workers to produce the ingredients within their products.
What Makes This Cohort So Powerful?
There is nowhere else you could be having these conversations with such a diverse group of stakeholders, all open to sharing, learning and moving forward together. This isn’t just about learning – it’s about unlearning outdated models, challenging assumptions and creating space for truly groundbreaking solutions.
By bringing together leaders from every part of the food system, the Accelerator unlocks fresh thinking, tackles unconscious biases and drives real, systemic change.
With expert guidance from coaches Kate Cawley, William Clare, Louise Nicholls, Rebecca Hesketh, Stephanie Gnissios and Katie Allen, this group is set to challenge the norm, shift mindsets and lead the food industry toward a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future.
Are you ready to join a future cohort?
