Joanne Denny-Finch CEO IGD

IGD's cheif executive Joanne Denney-Finch

Nearly 35,000 people were involved in IGD’s charitable initiatives in 2016, with the food and grocery research organisation scaling up its activities to reach more people.

From delivering workshops in schools to getting supply chain directors to participate in mentoring schemes, IGD led a number of programmes and initiatives last year. These included:

– The Feeding Britain’s Future programme – to give young people insight into, and training in, the wide range of work opportunities available in the food and grocery sector

– Leading Edge – a personal development network, providing lifelong learning for food and grocery employees through events, webinars and online training

– The Healthy Eating Programme – to help the industry promote healthier diets in the UK through research, insight and recommendations for food and grocery companies

– Efficient Consumer Response – a programme designed to help the industry work together to fulfil consumer wishes better, faster, at less cost, and in a more sustainable way

– Food Science Summer Schools – to address the technical skills shortage in the sector by educating young people about the career opportunities in food science

Commenting on the charity’s activities in 2016, CEO Joanne Denney-Finch said: “These are challenging times, yet challenges also bring great opportunities for the food and grocery industry. I’m immensely proud of how IGD’s charitable initiatives, that span the entire supply chain, have helped our industry to navigate these challenges and continue to deliver public benefit.”

“All the money we raise through our commercial activities is invested back into the industry and funds our charitable programmes.

“Through these programmes, and by drawing on our trusted, collaborative relationships across the food and grocery industry, IGD is making a significant impact and I’m delighted with the exceptional progress we continue to make.”