BFFF People Awards 2020

Headline Sponsor

BFFF chief executive Richard Harrow launches the awards

On 5 th March 2020 we recognised some of the most talented people in the frozen food industry as we announced the winners of the BFFF 2020 People Awards, including Marketing Campaign of the Year, Health and Safety Champion and Product Developer of the Year.

The awards were attended by almost 300 guests, with 68 entrants from 25 companies. On stage was Ian Stone of apetito who has just been appointed vice chairman of the BFFF Board, who represented Peter Allan of Cargill the People Awards Headline Sponsor.

The awards received entries from both retail and foodservice businesses, with the overall winners being selected from categories that cover both individual and team efforts.

Hosting this year’s event, Richard Harrow said: “As always we received many high calibre entries and they should all be very proud. These awards are a great way to recognise the incredible work being done across the sector and to say thank you.

“The role frozen plays in tackling issues such as food waste has never been more important. Giving those working tirelessly behind the scenes a morale boost in this way is therefore equally important.”

A big thank you to our People Awards sponsor Cargill for supporting the event. Thanks also to drinks reception sponsor Company Shop Group, seating brochure sponsor Iceland Foods, table drinks sponsor Birds Eye and competition sponsor XPO Logistics.

For more information about the BFFF People Awards, please visit www.bfffpeopleawards.co.uk

Business Transformation of the Year: Iceland, online tech team

Business Transformation of the Year award was presented to Iceland’s Online Tech Team by Ian Stone, apetito (second from far right) whorepresented Peter Allan of Cargill – Headline Sponsors of the PeopleAwards

In recent years, Iceland’s online team has driven exceptional growth to become the fastest-growing online grocery business in the UK. Last year the team took on its biggest challenge; relaunching the website. The team went ‘above and beyond’ to ensure the existing Iceland website continued to perform to the highest standard, whilst also delivering a new and improved Iceland online, without the compensation of additional time resource. As its industry-leading growth continues, the team is now looking to take the business to new heights with deeper customer insights, new technologies and an entirely customer-centric approach to development.

Finalists

1. Birds Eye's Commercial Team

2. Georgia Gilman, Asda

3. Claire Cox on behalf of herself and James Jeffryes, Bidfood

4. The Ice Co. Sustainability Team

Marketing Campaign of the Year: Iceland, online tech team

Marketing Campaign of the Year award was presented to Iceland’s Online Tech Team by Ian Stone

Iceland’s objective for Black Friday 2019 was clear: to produce a quality, high-performing campaign that resonated with its core audience. The concept was simple: customers had to ‘spin to win’ and everyone was a winner. The campaign demonstrated innovation, teamwork, exceptional skill and dedication from everyone involved. It was unique in the use of gamification (a grocery first at this scale), generating an impressive +27% increase in YOY sales and importantly, it resonated and built trust with the customer base. The campaign was a resounding success, reflected in increased revenue and online engagement as well as fantastic feedback from customers.

Finalist: Strong Roots UK Launch Campaign

Commercial Team of the Year: Meal Occasions category team, Bidfood

Commercial Team of the Year award was presented to The Meal Occasions Category Team, by Ian Stone

The Meal Occasions category team has been working together since 2017 and consists of category manager Catherine Ekundayo, buyer Gokhan Ozcan and category technologist Danielle Formby. Together they have worked to ensure the category includes good quality fit-for-purpose products as well as on-trend options. This team has transformed frozen food in Bidfood by shaping inspiring new ranges and showcasing the benefits of frozen to customers. As well as delivering outstanding commercial results, this team are the face of innovation on the savoury side of our frozen food range. They have not only built Bidfood's reputation as innovators but are also driving changes to improve the sustainability of products whilst focusing on customer needs.

Finalists

1. McCain Food's Brew City Launch Crew

2. Bidfood's Campaign & Brand Team

Product Developer of the Year: David Lennox, head of product development at Iceland

Product Developer of the Year award was presented to David Lennox of Iceland Foods

David oversees the Iceland Kitchen where he and the team develop new concepts and aim to challenge people’s perception of frozen food. His product highlights to date include Iceland’s frozen Sugo Alle Vongole and Mashed Potatoes. David has a plethora of experience within product development, having previously worked for several national retailers, including Morrisons and Waitrose. He inspires and excites his team through creative sessions, trend events, food safaris and the absolute love of food and his craft. David has always, and continues to, develop his own skills and follow emerging trends to keep Iceland at the forefront of being new to market.

Finalists

5. Natalie Chappell, Brakes

6. Paul Green, Bidfood

Unsung Hero: Jeanette Baker, supply chain co-ordinator at Cargill

Jeanette Baker

Jeanette joined Cargill in 2005 and is currently the supply chain co-ordinator for Cargill’s European business. Jeanette has amassed a wealth of knowledge during her years at Cargill and is considered an expert in many areas, especially around import regulations and EU tariff and quotas. She is often the go-to person for advice on a variety of subjects - even those not directly within her role. Jeanette is also a willing participant in the Cargill Cares group, which volunteers within the local community and is currently building a sensory garden. Jeanette's admirable leadership style achieves outstanding results, and this is reflected in her high performing team.

Finalists

1. Jessica Wilsdon, The Ice Co

2. Katie Tirrell, SPI

3. Liam Underhill of apetito (left)

4. Terence McMaw, Bidfood (left)

Supply Chain Team of the Year: Alex Watson, Jeanette Baker and Pip Saunders at Cargill

The winning trio from Cargill's: top to bottom Alex Watson, Jeanette Baker and Pip Saunders, unfortunately the team were unable to attend on the night.

Alex, Jeanette and Pip are the formidable supply chain team responsible for the inbound and outbound logistics, customs clearance and storage for Cargill’s UK and European customers. Last year provided many challenges for the team, not least of which were the stock building issues at UK production facilities. But the supply chain team worked diligently to ensure contingency plans were met under tight timelines. The success of this task would not have been possible without exceptional teamwork and dedication. This team goes above and beyond to help everyone with a positive can-do attitude, and despite the many challenges they have faced, always ensures customer demand is met by providing rapid and effective responses.

Finalist: Claire Cox on behalf of herself and James Jeffryes, Bidfood

Technical Champion: Neil Spreadbury at Iceland Manufacturing

Technical Champion of the Year award was presented by Ian Stone to Adam Smith (right) who accepted it on behalf of Neil Spreadbury of Iceland Manufacturing

From Food Technology graduate in 1993 to technical leadership roles in major foodmanufacturing businesses, Neil has worked with all the major retailers and somemajor brands, including Mr Kipling, Kingsmill, Sunblest and New-York Bakery.Neil now leads on technical agenda for Iceland, having moved from chilled in 2017. What Neil and his team have achieved in the past 12 months was describedin his award entry as ‘quite phenomenal’ - maintaining high standards whilst alsodeveloping the site and the products Iceland manufactures. Neil has broughta wealth of experience to help drive the change, ensuring quality and innovationis always first.

Finalists

1. Moya McBride, The Country Range Group

2. Sheila Hesketh on behalf of Sigrid Ottosen, Ming Lau and Carolyn Wright

3. Stephen Hatton and Diane Cuny, Country Choice

4. The Laboratory team from apetito

Sustainability Champion: Ian Hunt, engineering and environmental director at Brakes

Sustainability Champion award was presented to Ian Hunt of Brakes (left) by Ian Stone

As director of engineering and environment, Ian leads a team of engineering and environment professionals and is a key member of the Brakes CSR team, ensuring sustainability is embedded. With more than 30 years in the food industry, Ian has had sole responsibility for delivering five new distribution sites over the last seven years for Brakes. Ian is a well-respected team member with dedication, commitment and exemplary record of delivering projects on time, to budget and set standards. His work over the last five years has made a positive impact on his colleagues, stakeholders, the environment and the communities Brakes operates in.

Finalist: Annalisa Fanali on behalf of herself and Jocelyn Bonnell, Birds Eye

Rising Star: Rob Lishman at Iceland Manufacturing

Rising Star award was presented to Rob Lishman of Iceland Manufacturing (left) by Ian Stone

Rob joined Iceland Manufacturing as a 26-year-old functional head and has progressed into a position on the senior leadership team, assuming more control during this time and heading up a multifunctional department. He was met with hesitancy from some colleagues when he first joined due to his age, but his enthusiasm and passion soon won them over as Rob pushed for change and improvement within the business. In his new role as manager to the HSE and Project department teams he has brought his ability to enthuse and engage his people, resulting in high performing, accountable and reliable functions, and delivering a total cost benefit of more than £650,000.

Finalists

1. Ben Scholey, The Ice Co

2. Emma Holden, The Country Range Group

3. Katherine Cliffe, apetito

4. Sophie Peters, B&M Heron

5. Catherine Ekundayo, Bidfood

6. Faye Fisher, Bidfood

7. Sara Lopez, Birds Eye

8. Ellie Shreeves, Birds Eye

9. Jadie Carter, Hunts

10. Sarah Little of Whitby Seafoods

Lifetime Achievement Award: Graham Whittle, Whitby Seafoods

Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Graham Whittle of Whitby Seafoods (left) by Ian Stone

Graham Whittle has been a pioneer of the frozen food industry in the 35 years since he founded Whitby Seafoods. Building a UK leading brand from scratch is achievement enough, but to do so in a sustainable, charitable, and innovative way, makes him truly deserving of this accolade. Graham founded Whitby Seafoods in 1985. Having re-mortgaged the family home, it wasn’t the most glamorous start to what is now a now multi-million-pound seafood business. Among his achievements are his invention of Whitby Scampi, which is now on more pub and restaurant menus than any brand in the UK, and having the fastest growing coated seafood brand in the country. Graham puts his success down to consistency, purpose and challenging the status quo on quality.

Finalists

1. Alan Ambrose, Brakes

2. Nigel Terry of Greenyard

3. Malcolm Bell, The Ice Co

4. Philip Parker, Pilgrim Foodservice

5. Mohammed Ishaq MBE, Simply Food Solutions, Bidfood

Thank you to all our sponsors

Bird's Eye Ltd.

Company Shop Group

Iceland

XPO Logistics