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Leaders from across the food industry convened at the House of Lords today (6 March) to launch the new Food Business Charter.

This initiative aims to achieve 40% female representation across the global food value chain by 2035, marking a pivotal moment for gender balance in an industry where women currently hold only 33.5% of the workforce.

The Charter, developed by Meat Business Women in collaboration with founding signatories from 20 prominent businesses spanning food manufacturing, retail and foodservice supply chains, represents a concerted effort to address longstanding gender disparities.

The launch was hosted by Baroness Minette Batters DL, who emphasised the importance of this initiative at a time when the industry faces critical workforce challenges.

Laura Ryan, global chair and founder of Meat Business Women, highlighted the significance of the Charter, describing it as a defining moment in the journey towards gender equality in the food sector. “This Charter is not just a vision; it provides a practical roadmap for change,” she said, highlighting the necessity for a strategic commitment from senior leaders to attract and retain female talent.

The initiative follows an industry roundtable held last year, which underscored the urgent need for action in light of declining female representation in the meat industry, down from 36% in 2020 to the current 33.5%. The Charter aims to dismantle barriers and create meaningful opportunities for women at all levels of the food supply chain.

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Accompanying the Charter is an Action Planning Toolkit, developed in collaboration with diversity and inclusion experts. This toolkit offers organisations practical strategies to meet the Charter's objectives, focusing on talent attraction and retention, sharing best practices and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

“This isn’t merely about setting targets; it’s about transforming our industry’s future,” Ryan added. The framework aims to ensure that the food sector remains profitable and sustainable while promoting gender diversity.

Jamila Gordon, CEO and founder of Lumachain, emphasised the critical need for gender representation in addressing the chronic employee shortages faced by the food industry. “Ensuring women can thrive at all levels is vital for the industry's future,” she noted.

Ryan added: “This charter, backed by major global and European food manufacturers, retailers and foodservice businesses, demonstrates our industry’s collective determination to remove barriers and create meaningful opportunities for women at all levels. It isn’t about setting targets, it’s about transforming our industry’s future to ensure it remains profitable and sustainable.”

The launch event, strategically timed ahead of International Women’s Day, saw key industry figures officially signing the Charter. Baroness Batters expressed her support, noting that the initiative marks a critical milestone in empowering women within the meat industry. “This framework is essential for enabling women to progress their careers,” she stated.

Despite the positive strides made, the recent Gender Representation Report released by Meat Business Women highlights ongoing challenges. Women occupy only 8% of CEO roles, up from 5% in 2020, while their representation in board-level director positions stands at 23%.

The report reveals that the number of women in the global workforce has decreased, highlighting the need for sustained efforts to enhance gender balance.

The Food Business Charter has garnered support from notable organisations, including ABP Food Group, Cargill, Hilton Foods, Tesco and several others. This collective commitment underscores the industry's recognition of the importance of gender balance in driving innovation and growth.

The Food Business Charter has also gained a letter of support from HRH The Princess Royal.

Photo caption: Meat Business Women Food Business Charter founding signatories at the House of Lords event, hosted by Baroness Minette Batters DL

Front row L–R: Jamila Gordon, Lumachain CEO and Founder, Richard Wood, Tesco UK Category Directory for Meat, Fish, Poultry and Egg, Laura Ryan, Meat Business Women Founder and Global Chair, Bob Carnell, ABP UK CEO, Baroness Minette Batters DL, Katherine Haenelt, OSI UK and Europe Foods Managing Director

Back row L–R: Kevin Cahill, ABP Ireland Managing director, Natalie Rogers, Greencore Director of Talent Development and Inclusion, Matt Lee, Hilton Foods CEO UK and Ireland, Jayne Mizon, Kepak HR and Development Director, Andrew Nethercott, Finnebrogue CEO, Ruth McDonald, Morrisons Corporate Services Director, Jim Brisby, Cranswick PLC Chief Commercial Officer, Vanda Rolands, Sofina Europe L&D specialist, Chris Hall, Avara CEO, Helen Rees, Dunbia HR director, Jane Berry, IPL Managing Director.