Cargill UK Chief celebrated for 'unique contribution' at national food awards
23 September 2016
Prominent food and drink industry figure Martin Douglas OBE was recognised at last night's FDF Awards in London for his 'unique contribution' to the industry over a stellar career. The ceremony, held at London's The Brewery, celebrated exceptional businesses and industry professionals from across the food and drink supply chain.
A passionate advocate of the food and drink sector in the UK, Martin was – until his recent retirement after over 30 years with the company – Country Representative for Cargill UK & Ireland, Executive Director, Cargill PLC, and also Managing Director for Cargill's premix and nutrition business in the UK & Ireland. He graduated with a BSc in Agricultural Science from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1978 and joined Cargill in 1984.
As former Chair of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce he has been tireless in his promotion of the North West of England as an industrial development location, promoting the area on national and international media and engaging with business associations and trade bodies in the region. He was also Chair of Food and Drink Federation's Food Safety and Scientific Steering Group from December 2010 to March 2015.
Based in Manchester, he previously led the largest wheat mill in the UK, which celebrated its centenary in 2011. The mill, which employed more than 300 people, produced around 400,000 tonnes per annum of glucose syrups, as a main supplier to food companies across Europe. Martin led his businesses with a focus on people, performance and safety.
He has always fostered employee engagement with the community, leading by example. Activities he instigated include support for Henshaw's school for the blind, and anti-bullying programmes in schools in conjunction with Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre. A tireless fundraiser, Martin has led employee events including sponsored walks on Snowdon and Scafell Pike, raising more than £35,000 for the Children's Adventure Farm in Cheshire, and £25,000 for Fare Share, an organisation close to the heart of Cargill, looking to reuse 'fit for purpose' food and reduce food waste.
FDF's Director General Ian Wright said: “It is both an honour and a pleasure to recognise Martin Douglas' unique contribution to the food and drink sector over such a long and distinguished career. He has made an outstanding contribution, not only to our industry, but to the wider business and CSR community both in Greater Manchester and further afield. At the FDF Awards, we recognise the 'best' of our industry and Martin represents all that makes the food and drink sector such a vibrant and vital part of the UK economy”.
More information
Event photos are available on FDF's Flickr page
The 2017 FDF Awards will launch in November 2016.
Notes for editors
- The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector.
- View the winners' case studies
- Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, Cargill helps people thrive by applying its insights and 150 years of experience. The company has 150,000 employees in 70 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where they live and work.
Contact Matthew Evans, Corporate Affairs Division, at: Matthew.Evans@fdf.org.uk, or (0) 20 7420 7152.
