The FDF Awards celebrate exceptional talent, excellence and innovation in the food and drink industry with an annual event. Each year, companies from across the food and drink supply chain enter the awards, and over 500 guests come together to celebrate the winners at the FDF Awards ceremony. This year, the ceremony took place on 21st September at the Roundhouse, London.
Ian Pilkington, Commercial Director at Food and Drink North East (FADNE), attended the event to represent FADNE and to be part of the judging panel.
“It was a pleasure to support the FDF as part of their judging panel for these prestigious national awards,” says Ian, “And it was great to be invited to the awards ceremony as part of the celebration of the food and drink industry.
“With key messages around innovation, resilience, diversity and expertise, it was wonderful to see the industry reflect on the achievements of the people that drive these businesses forward in an unprecedented period of change and uncertainty.
“At FADNE, we shape much of our regional support around enabling people and organisations to collaborate and create opportunities, it is reassuring to see our aims are aligned to many other industry organisations. The event was a superb evening in a great venue, and provided a great opportunity to meet and mingle with the FDF team, as well as other key personnel from across the country, representing a range of sectors.
“With this event, and the continuing input from FADNE at a regional and national level, we reinforce the importance of the food and drink industry, which is worth over £30 billion per year to the UK and employs more people than any other sector nationally.
“It has also reinforced our belief that the industry can be stronger across the country, but that these challenges and opportunities need to be recognised in national and regional thinking, with clear structure and support in place to support companies of all shapes and sizes.
“FADNE is still young in its journey, but we are delighted to be working alongside the FDF, and look forward to seeing how we can build a working relationship going forward.”
To see the full list of FDF Awards 2023 winners, click here.
For more information about the FDF, please visit www.fdf.org.uk/fdf/events-and-meetings/fdf-awards/