The Leadership Buffet: Why Variety Makes for a Stronger Team

The food industry, like many others, hasn't always been the best at giving women the recognition they deserve. We see incredible women in kitchens, on farms, and starting businesses, but sometimes the higher you climb in the corporate world, the fewer women you see. And that's just… well, it's bananas! We are missing out on potential and ideas.

I've been digging into the numbers, and what I've found is a bit like biting into a perfectly ripe strawberry… then realising it's only halfway there. We're seeing more women in the food and beverage industry, which is fantastic! They are bringing incredible innovation and dedication to the table. But before you get too excited, let's look at the details:

A Slice of the Pie, But is it Big Enough?

Lets go straight in and look at some of the data:

• Around 41% of jobs in food and drink businesses in the FTSE 350 are held by women. That's awesome! It means we're seeing real talent coming into the industry.

• Some companies are doing exceptionally well. Unilever, for example, boasts 54% female managers. Go Unilever! This shows that when companies commit to empowering women, great things happen.

• Here's where things get a little dicey. In 2020 Only 28% of board-level executives were women. The good news is more recent reports show that has risen into the mid to high thirties! But the food industry is still behind the curve!

• Supply Chain Struggles: Women remain underrepresented in critical areas like supply chain management, manufacturing, and food technology. This is a problem! We need diverse perspectives in these fields to drive innovation and efficiency.

More Than Just "Comfort Food": The Bottom-Line Benefits of Equality

It's about good business. Diverse teams are smarter. They're more creative, more innovative, and better at understanding the needs of a diverse customer base (which, last time I checked, is everyone!).

Think about it… women are often the primary grocery shoppers and meal planners in households. If you're developing new food products, wouldn't it make sense to have women involved in the process, offering their insights and perspectives? Seems like a no-brainer to me!

Beyond innovation, gender equality also boosts employee morale and retention. People want to work for companies that value ALL people. Happy employees are productive employees, and productive employees are good for the bottom line. It's a win-win-win!

Breaking Down the Barriers

So, how do we move from good intentions to real impact when it comes to gender inclusion?

Here are some thoughts—balanced, practical, and grounded in fairness:

Transparency is Key

What gets measured gets managed. Organisations should be open about their diversity metrics—not just gender, but across all underrepresented groups. This isn’t about quotas, it’s about accountability.

Intentional Hiring and Promotion

Don’t seek a specific gender—seek out qualified candidates from all backgrounds. Expand your talent pipeline by casting a wider net, addressing barriers that might keep capable individuals from being seen or heard.

Go Beyond Mentorship, Embrace Sponsorship

Sponsorship means advocating for promising individuals behind closed doors, not just offering advice. Everyone, regardless of gender, should have access to champions who help accelerate their growth.

Address Unconscious Bias

Bias affects us all. Training and awareness programs can help ensure hiring and promotion decisions are fair and based on merit, not stereotypes.

Equal Pay for Equal Work

Still a must. Pay disparities erode trust and performance, fair compensation for the same work should be a non-negotiable standard.

Support Flexibility for All

Work-life balance benefits everyone. Offering flexible work arrangements empowers employees—men and women—to manage both career and personal responsibilities.

Celebrate Diverse Achievements

Recognise and promote a wide range of success stories. Visibility matters, when people see others like themselves thriving, they believe they can too.

Build a Culture of Inclusion

Create an environment where respect, opportunity, and equity are lived experiences.

Meet Some of the Trailblazers: Women Who Are Rocking the Food World!

Here are just a few of the women who are creating a tsunami of positive change in our industry!

Stephanie Hart (Executive Vice President, Head of Operations, Nestlé S.A.): With over 30 years at Nestlé, Stephanie Hart is a force to be reckoned with! She's climbed the ranks to oversee global operations for one of the world’s largest food companies. That's not just impressive; that's a masterclass in leadership and dedication. She's a shining example of what's possible when women are given the opportunity to lead!

Eva Sommer (Fermify): Eva Sommer is at the forefront of food innovation, developing precision-fermented dairy proteins with Fermify. She's not just creating new ingredients; she's shaping the future of sustainable food production. This kind of pioneering spirit is exactly what we need to build a more resilient and eco-friendly food system!

Deniz Ficicioglu (Co-Founder & CEO, BettaF!sh): Deniz Ficicioglu is leading the charge in sustainable seafood with BettaF!sh. They're pioneering seaweed-based tuna alternatives and promoting regenerative ocean farming. That's a double-whammy of goodness – protecting our oceans and providing innovative food solutions. Go Deniz!

Ramona Hazan (Founder, Ramona’s): Ramona Hazan built the UK’s top houmous brand from scratch, growing sales by 80% year-on-year! Now that's impressive business acumen! But she's not just building a successful company, she's also a vocal advocate for women in the industry, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and driving innovation in Mediterranean-inspired foods. She's not only spreading the love of hummus, she's spreading the love of entrepreneurship!

These women are role models, mentors, and innovators. They are proof that women can succeed at the highest levels of the food industry. But we need more of them!

By highlighting their achievements, we can inspire other women to pursue their dreams and break down the barriers that hold them back. 

It's Time to Get Cooking!

Let's face it, the food industry can be a tough nut to crack. But by continuing to champion equality, we can create a more balanced, inclusive, and innovative industry that benefits everyone. It's not just the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do.

So, let's roll up our sleeves, get to work, and build a food industry where everyone has a seat at the table.