Industry leaders gathered at the House of Lords on 6 March to launch The Food Business Charter with the ambition to reach 40% female representation across the global food value chain by 2035, marking a watershed moment for gender balance in the sector.
The Food Business Charter, developed by Meat Business Women in collaboration with founding signatories from 19 leading businesses across food manufacturing, retail and foodservice supply chain, was launched at an exclusive event hosted by Baroness Minette Batters DL.
The landmark initiative reflects a strategic commitment from senior leaders to address gender imbalance and the attraction and retention of talent into the global food industry. The initiative follows a Meat Business Women industry roundtable last year that highlighted the urgent need for action, with women representing just 33.5% of the meat industry workforce, down from 36% in 2020.
Laura Ryan, global chair and founder of Meat Business Women, said: “The Food Business Charter is a defining moment in our industry’s journey toward gender equality and a major milestone for our 10th year of Meat Business Women.
“Working with senior leaders who understand the benefits of a gender-balanced workforce, we’ve created not just a vision, but a practical roadmap for change.
“This Charter, backed by major global and European food manufacturers, retailers, and foodservice businesses, demonstrates our industry’s collective determination to remove barriers and create meaningful opportunities for women at all levels,” said Laura.
The launch event took place in a pivotal week, ahead of International Women’s Day with key industry leaders officially signing the Charter and pledging their commitment to gender balance.
Dunbia and Dawn Meats has pledged their support to the Charter by becoming a founding signatory, re-affirming their commitment to attracting and retaining talent in the food industry, whilst developing a balanced and inclusive workforce.
Speaking about their commitment as a founding signatory, Helen Rees, HR director at Dunbia and Dawn Meats, said: “Our participation underpins our belief in creating equitable opportunities for all, fostering a positive environment where everyone has the prospect to excel and reach their full potential.
“As a founding signatory of the Food Chain Charter, it is testament to our dedication to these values.”
The Charter will be accompanied by an Action Planning Toolkit, designed in collaboration with Diversity & Inclusion experts, providing organisations with practical strategies to achieve the Charter’s ambitions.
“This isn’t about setting targets – it’s about transforming our industry’s future to ensure it remains profitable and sustainable,” Laura added.
“The Charter provides a framework for organisations to implement practical talent attraction and retention strategies, share best practices, and create lasting change. With the support of our industry partners, we’re confident we can achieve sustainable change.”
Founding signatories of the Food Business Charter include, ABP Food Group, Australian Meat Processor Corporation, Australian Meat Group, Avara Foods, Cargill Protein, Cranswick Plc, Dunbia & Dawn Meats, Finnebrogue, Greencore, Hilton Foods Plc, International Procurement and Logistics (IPL), Kepak, Lumachain, Meat & Livestock Australia, Minerva Foods Australia, Myton Food Group & Morrisons, OSI Europe, Sofina Foods and Thomas Foods..
For more information about Meat Business Women and how to sign The Food Business Charter, visit meatbusinesswomen.org/food-business/charter
Image:
Front row L–R: Jamila Gordon, Lumachain CEO and Founder, Richard Wood, Tesco UK Category Directory for Meat, Fish, Poultry and Egg, Laura Ryan, Meat Business Women Founder and Global Chair, Bob Carnell, ABP UK CEO, Baroness Minette Batters DL, Katherine Haenelt, OSI UK and Europe Foods Managing Director
Back row L–R: Kevin Cahill, ABP Ireland Managing director, Natalie Rogers, Greencore Director of Talent Development and Inclusion, Matt Lee, Hilton Foods CEO UK and Ireland, Jayne Mizon, Kepak HR and Development Director, Andrew Nethercott, Finnebrogue CEO, Ruth McDonald, Morrisons Corporate Services Director, Jim Brisby, Cranswick PLC Chief Commercial Officer, Vanda Rolands, Sofina Europe L&D specialist, Chris Hall, Avara CEO, Helen Rees, Dunbia HR director, Jane Berry, IPL Managing Director.
