05
Interviewwith Andrew Selley, CEO
You've got a new strategic vision, about being
a positive force for change in the industry.
Can you tell us more about this?
Well, the vision statement is just articulating
what we were trying to do already. We've been
talking for a few years about leading change in
foodservice, but we're now more explicit in terms
of that aspiration, applying it across the spectrum
of people, planet, communities, customers and
our principles. We're all increasingly aware of
the role that businesses have to play in terms of
addressing environmental and social challenges,
so this vision statement reflects that.
Can you highlight some of the ways in
which you feel you've been a positive force
for change throughout 2021/22?
People: Our employee survey result for overall
employee engagement was 83%, which I think is
great evidence of how we look after our people.
It's six points higher than it was pre-pandemic,
which reflects how well I think we've done in terms
of supporting our people during these difficult times.
Planet: We're progressing with our science-based
net zero ambition. This issue gets far more focus and
budget now; it's a marathon, not a sprint, and I'm
proud that we're doing this properly, aligned to the
global standard for net zero. We just need far more
momentum across the industry - us doing this alone
will achieve very little - it's all about collaboration.
Customers: We are in the process of creating a
responsible soya sourcing policy which will source
soya from deforestation and habitat conversion free
sources. We're also looking to strengthen our animal
welfare policy, so we have started a project which is
reviewing the animal welfare and soya standards in
our supply chain which will provide us with the data
we need to put in place targets and commitments
to improve the sustainability of our products.
Communities: We're incredibly proud to be a
founding partner of The Natasha's Allergy Research
Foundation's clinical trial. The trial aims to plug the
current Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) research gap, by
proving that everyday foods instead of expensive
pharmaceutical drugs can be used as a practical
treatment. If successful, it will provide a potentially
life-changing experience for those allergy sufferers
when eating out of home, eliminating the fear of
suffering from severe or fatal allergic reactions when
eating out of home.
Principles: As explained, we want to be a positive
force for change, so articulating this ambition
naturally causes us to think of wider changes that are
needed. Personally, I've been quite
vocal this year about the National Food Strategy
and what changes needed to take place in both the
sourcing and provision of healthy food, and I will
continue to speak out about this and other
food industry issues.
bidfood.co.uk/sustainability
Our principles
Our communities Awards