Meat Business Women held its first Speed Networking Dinner last night (2.10.19) at the newly reopened Butchers’ Hall, London. The event saw 12 industry leaders dedicate their time to mentor 150 delegates from right across the meat supply chain. Attendees also heard from Minette Batters, NFU President who, as after dinner speaker, told the audience that global networking groups such as Meat Business Women are essential to galvanise our industry.
The event saw the presentation of the 2019 ‘One to Watch’ prize to winner Jodie Bolland, Morrisons PLC. Jodie wins a place on the Cranfield Management School’s ‘Women as Leaders’ course, worth over 4,000. The independent judging panel included Margaret Boanas (Chair of International Meat Trade Association and Vice President of U.E.C.B.V. – European Livestock and Meat Trading Union), who said, “the calibre of entrants was extremely high and having met all six finalists to discuss how they would address some of the current industry challenges it’s clear we have some remarkable talent in our sector. Jodie’s breadth and depth of knowledge coupled with a solution-focused attitude makes her a very worthy winner. However, all our shortlisted candidates acquitted themselves, their businesses and the sector with pride. Thanks to everyone who took part.”
Laura Ryan, Chair of Meat Business Women told the sell-out audience that, “the global momentum behind Meat Business Women continues to grow at pace and the initiative is now active in UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. This is coupled with being recognised by the United Nations (UN) as one of the global solutions to their Sustainable Development Goals. I’m delighted to say the Meat Business Women will be expanding to USA, working in partnership with United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and North American Meat Institute (NAMI). This expansion will further help to deliver the ambition of MBW to inspire, network and grow the pipeline of female talent across the world.”
The event was attended by USMEF Director Cheyenne McEndaffer who said, “we’ve been speaking with Meat Business Women for some time and see huge opportunity in bringing the concept to the USA. We will be working to develop a committee and sharing best practice with the other global chapters which are all extremely active. We are already planning the first event which will take place in 2020.”
Katie Rose McCullough, Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at NAMI said, “So many of the challenges and opportunities that we are experiencing in our industry need a global approach, so working with proactive and likeminded groups like Meat Business Women is a real positive for our organisation and wider industry in the USA.”
The next Australian event will take place in Brisbane on 9th Oct 2019 and the next UK & Ireland event will be on 23rd April 2020 at The Belfry. For more information and booking see www.meatbusinesswomen.org
For photos see: https://we.tl/t-nmkPv37qyY
