FDF Scotland announces new leadership and sets priorities for industry growth

James Macsween has outlined his priorities as Chair of FDF Scotland to support the future growth of Scotland’s vital food and drink manufacturing industry. This comes at a challenging time for the industry with changes in Minimum Wage and National Insurance costs having a significant impact on businesses’ ability to invest and grow. It is important that other policies and legislation don’t add further costs to already stretched companies. FDF Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to:

• Collaborate with other UK nations to develop consistent food and drink regulations, minimising cost and complexity for businesses and shoppers. This includes ensuring the regulations that will restrict the promotions of food and drink are not different in Scottish stores from those in England.
• Create a ring-fenced fund for the food and drink industry to de-risk innovation around de-carbonisation. This could be done by injecting further support into the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund or through other mechanisms.
• Support the development and implementation of a national food and drink net zero transition plan in collaboration with FDF Scotland’s Net Zero Programme.
• Transform packaging recycling and reprocessing to a world-class system through collaboration with other policy makers and food and drink producers.
• Implement actions from the Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape to meet the industry’s skills needs.
• Work with Westminster on the Growth and Skills Levy to enable food and drink manufacturers to invest Levy funds in training that can address skills needs and improve productivity growth.
• Continue supporting FDF Scotland’s Reformulation for Health Programme to help manufacturers make their food healthier.
• Increase support, investment, and resources for food safety, particularly in supporting Food Standards Scotland’s redesign of the food law delivery and assurance framework.

James Macsween, FDF Scotland’s Chair, said:

 “I am honoured to lead FDF Scotland at such a pivotal time for our industry. My focus will be on driving sustainable growth and ensuring that our members have the support they need to thrive. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient sector that continues to deliver high-quality food and drink that people enjoy at home and across the world.”

Katherine Durie, FDF Scotland’s Vice Chair, added: “I am delighted to take on the role of Vice Chair and work alongside James to support the growth and success of Scotland’s food and drink industry.”

 David Thomson, FDF Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“Our members across Scotland are part of the fabric of local communities and have been for generations, providing jobs, investment and of course great food and drink to feed our families. However, these businesses are also facing several challenges, which we believe could be mitigated by minimising the cost and complexity of regulations, de-risking innovation around de-carbonisation, and ensuring food and drink manufacturers have the skills that they need.

“We are committed to working closely with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to create an environment where our businesses can flourish. I would like to thank James and Katherine for taking on their new roles as Chair and Vice Chair. Their leadership will be instrumental in guiding our industry towards a prosperous future.”

For more information, please contact kirsty.tinsdale@fdfscotland.org.uk / 07508 303 736.