• 
  Colin Ferguson has been appointed Head of Sales
• Ronan McLaughlin has been appointed New Product Development Manager
• Deborah Templeton has been appointed Commercial Coordinator

White’s Oats, Ireland’s largest oat miller and oat cereal producer has made a number of key appointments as the company grows its commercial sales and product development team in line with its long-term growth strategy and against the continued rise in wholesome non-processed oat-based products that is being witnessed across the UK and Ireland and many export markets in which White’s operates.

Colin Ferguson has been appointed into a new position of Head of Sales. Deborah Templeton has been promoted within the business to Commercial Coordinator with further food and drink industry experience coming from the new appointment of Ronan Mc Laughlin as New Product Development (NPD) Manager.

Speaking on the appointments, James Mathers, Managing Director, White’s Oats, said:

“I am delighted to welcome all three to the White’s Team. The knowledge and expertise that Colin, Ronan and Deborah will bring to their respective roles will be invaluable as we work to deliver on our future growth ambitions right across the business.”

Previously Head of Sales at Mackle’s Pet Foods, Colin has over 38 years’ sales and commercial experience in human and animal nutrition. As a member of the senior management team, Colin will play a vital role in driving sustainable business growth across the island of Ireland with White’s strategic customers while continuing to build relationships with a wide range of customers both locally and internationally. His role will also involve exploring new business opportunities across White’s key markets and channels.

As demand and popularity for oats and innovation in oat-based products continues to grow amidst consumer’s interest in health, wellness and sustainability, Ronan will have responsibility for the creation, development and launch of new and novel products for the market. With over 20 years food development and culinary experience, Ronan will work closely with the marketing team to identify, develop concepts and fulfil market opportunities suitable for both Irish and UK retailers as well as end consumers.

Since his appointment, Ronan has overseen the launch of ActivOat High in Protein Porridge adding to White’s existing instant porridge range and is currently exploring a range of new product concepts for launch autumn and winter 2024.

Deborah Templeton joins the commercial team in her role as Commercial Coordinator. Deborah, who has been with the company for close on 10 years, brings a wealth of customer and supply chain experience and White’s knowhow to the team. She will work closely with the sales and marketing team to help manage and support new business leads and promote business growth and development with a focus on exporting.

“These recent appointments come at an exciting time for the company as we invest in new capacity and capabilities in line with increasing customer and consumer demand. The experience and talent that we have coming through in White’s will not only strengthen the team but provide a sustainable platform for the company to further grow and innovate with our customers across Ireland, UK and further afield.” Mr Mathers continued.

Holiday makers and other travellers at airports across the UK will now be able to purchase an Innovative Irish whiskey brand Two Stacks from Newry as a result of a collaboration with Avolta’s World Duty Free stores.

Food NI member Two Stacks’ ‘The Blenders Cut – Cask Strength’ and Double-Distilled Peated Malt are being showcased in World Duty Free stores located in 26 UK airports.

The partnership marks another step in the Co Down whiskey maker’s expansion in travel retail, offering unique and complex cask-strength whiskeys and carefully crafted peated malts to UK travellers.

To celebrate this collaboration, Two Stacks will be running weekly tastings at various UK airports for travellers to sample and appreciate the whiskeys.

Two Stacks also strengthens World Duty Free’s extensive portfolio of premium Irish whiskey brands.

Two Stacks Irish Whiskey chief executive Shane McCarthy says “This is a big moment, not just for Two Stacks but for the entire Irish whiskey category within the World Duty Free space. We are excited to offer travellers complex cask-strength whiskeys and exquisite Double Distilled Peated Malts.

“Expanding this category has been one of our major ambitions, and just over three years later we have achieved our biggest-ever listing.

“A special thank you to SipWell Brands for their invaluable assistance in making this partnership possible. If you are passing through one of the many UK airports this summer, take advantage of the weekly tastings we will be hosting and embrace the moment when Irish Whiskey choice in duty free got a little bit wider,” he adds.

Aisha Dad, Avolta’s category manager for liquor in the UK, adds: “We are delighted to partner with Two Stacks to showcase their two key expressions to travellers visiting our World Duty Free stores across the UK. 

“The many airport tastings we have planned will give customers the opportunity to discover and appreciate both the Blender’s Cut Cask Strength, and the Double Barrel Single Malt.”

FINNEBROGUE MAKES HISTORY: ONLY NI FOOD PRODUCER TO WIN A GROCER GOLD AWARD, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE!

Finnebrogue has been named the inaugural ‘Employer of the Year (Supplier)’ at the 2024 Grocer Gold Awards, held at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London. This prestigious accolade, awarded in recognition of outstanding performance, innovation, and excellence, places Finnebrogue in esteemed company, having triumphed over competitors such as Arla, Glanbia, Heck, and Heul.

Hosted by Myleene Klass, the glittering ceremony celebrated 34 winners, with Sainsbury’s securing the ultimate Grocer of the Year award. Finnebrogue’s win is particularly noteworthy as it is the only food producer from Northern Ireland to receive this honour, building on its previous Grocer Gold win in 2022 for Sustainability Initiative of the Year, in partnership with Waitrose.

CHRIS OVEREND, FINNEBROGUE’S HEAD OF HR, EXPRESSED HIS PRIDE IN THE COMPANY’S ACHIEVEMENT:

“This award underscores the transformative journey Finnebrogue has embarked upon over the last two years with our renewed People Strategy. It has become an industry benchmark, following accolades at the Irish News Workplace Awards for ‘Best Place to Work’, and ‘Best Wellbeing in the Workplace’ for two years in a row.”

Finnebrogue’s People Strategy is distinguished by its comprehensive career pathways and development opportunities, emphasising talent development and personal wellbeing.

Key highlights of Finnebrogue’s journey include:

• Academic and Professional Development: Collaborations with Queen’s University Belfast and other professional bodies have enriched employee development, offering academic qualifications and professional certifications aligned with industry demands. The Executive Future Leadership Programme with Toward Ltd is nurturing Finnebrogue’s next generation of leaders.
• Diversity in Leadership: The appointment of Bev Mitchell as Chief Commercial Officer marks a milestone in promoting diversity, being the first female executive member at Finnebrogue.
• Returners Programme: Launched in mid-2023, this initiative supports individuals re-entering the workforce with phased returns and mentorship, ensuring a smooth transition.
• Ability Programme: Currently in development, this initiative collaborates with charities to create employment opportunities for neurodiverse individuals and those with disabilities.
• Employee Voice through the Finnebrogue Forum: Launched in late 2023, this forum empowers employees to influence business decisions through elected representatives.
• Mental Health Support: Since early 2023, Finnebrogue has partnered with Insula Wellbeing to provide on-site mental health support, including confidential 1-2-1 counselling for employees on day and night shift.
• Community Engagement: Finnebrogue’s commitment of support extends to local schools and community groups, while also fostering talent development and future workforce growth through learning and development initiatives.
• Wellbeing Hub: The establishment of the Wellbeing and Development Hub has created a dynamic space for training, mentoring, and wellbeing activities, embodying Finnebrogue’s holistic approach to employee development.

These initiatives have culminated in Finnebrogue achieving Diversity Mark Accreditation in early 2024, making it the first UK food producer to receive such recognition.

CHRIS OVEREND, CONCLUDED:

“Winning Employer of the Year at the Grocer Gold Awards is a testament to our steadfast commitment to our people. Our focus on development, diversity, and wellbeing sets a standard for excellence in the industry. This award is not just a recognition of our past efforts, but a motivation to push further in creating innovative, supportive, and inclusive workplace practices that will drive our future success.”

For more information about Finnebrogue and its award-winning People Strategy, visit www.finnebrogue.com

Food NI member, Finnebrogue in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland’s highly innovative and successful food manufacturer, has won a prestigious Grocer Gold Award.

The local company was named Supplier Employer of the Year 2024 at a gala ceremony in London.

The Grocer Gold Awards is the blue riband event of the grocery retail and wholesale sector in the UK. It is hosted and produced by The Grocer, the multi award-winning bible of the trade.

It is owned by William Reed, a UK-based publishing, events , conferences, exhibitions and market research business with offices in the UK, US and Singapore.

In addition to these and other awards, The Grocer produces a weekly magazine, daily website and newsletters, as well as webinars and conferences.

Finnebrogue is now one of the UK’S leading food producers. It produces delicious, nutritious and sustainable food from four state-of-facilities in County Down. The company is renowned for its Naked range of chemical-free foods.

An Irish wheaten loaf, long a mainstay of homes, restaurants and hotels across the island of Ireland, has been named ‘The Taste of the North West of Northern Ireland. But the wheaten developed by chef/entrepreneur John Crowe is a loaf with a difference.

John, the owner of Carrick Foods in Londonderry picked up the title at the recent North West Business Awards, for the loaf, sometimes known as a brown soda, which includes among its ingredients flat oysters from the River Foyle near Northern Ireland’s second city. The company is a FoodNI member.

John’s Stout City Loaf includes the distinctive Foyster’s Stout that’s brewed by Wall City Brewery in Derry. The stout that’s also filtered from oyster shells is popular across the North West.

The loaf is one of the signature products of John’s Carrick Foods – the other is a cured local salmon with lemon and dill – a small business that John started while he continues to lecture and mentor culinary students at Derry’s North West Regional College.

A much travelled and vastly experienced chef, John has won widespread acclaim for his business and especially the award-winning Stout City Loaf, a two-star winner in last year’s Great Taste Awards.

Two Food NI member companies – Moy Park in Craigavon, Co Armagh and
ABP Linden in Dungannon, Co Tyrone – have won major awards in the annual
Food Management Today Food Industry Awards.

Moy Park, Northern Ireland’s biggest food company and a UK leader in poultry
products, gained the prestigious UK Manufacturer of the Year title for 2024.
ABP Linden, a major producer of innovative dishes, gained the key Best New
Product Development title in collaboration with M&S Food for a luxury Wagyu
Rump Steak with Mustard and Bone Marrow Butter product developed by the
team at Craigavon.

The awards, the most important in the food processing industry, featured
presentations to a range of 2024 award-winning meat sector companies and
people, with lunchtime guests celebrating the success of the industry in London
The awards highlight both service and quality products from a range of different
food production, manufacturing and retailing sectors.

Michelin star chef and TV presenter Michel Roux Jr took to the stage to host
this year’s awards at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London.