Young aspiring and developing managers, trainees and undergraduates at every stage of the global fresh produce and horticulture supply chains are being encouraged to sign up for a new industry initiative which aims to improve their perception of the sectors and help them to develop careers within the two industries.
Fresh Inspirations, a scheme designed to 'inspire, empower and connect' the next generation of management in fresh produce and horticulture, will be focused around a new conference event comprising of presentations, mentoring sessions and networking.
The conference, which takes place on 26 January at the Marriott Hotel in Huntingdon, UK, will be split into three main sessions covering trends and future developments in the international supply chain, career and personal development, and innovation and evolution within the entire industry.
Presentations will be given by some of the leading names in the business, including senior directors from Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Co-operative Farms and major fresh convenience brand Innocent Drinks, as well as academics, career coaches and senior management personnel working for some of the UK's foremost fresh produce companies.
Delegates will also be given the opportunity to speak to leading players face to face and benefit from their experience and guidance.
The event's line-up of mentors will include business owners and managing directors from some of the largest fresh produce companies both in the UK and worldwide, who will share their experience and knowledge of all aspects of the produce sector along the entire supply chain.
Graduate growth
Fresh Inspirations is led by Adam Hill, national account manager at leading supplier Greencell and a recent graduate from a fresh produce graduate scheme run by UK group MDS Ltd.
Hill is supported by an experience team including: Ian Merton, owner of ISSM Ltd and a former food director at UK retailer Sainsbury's; Carol Ford, owner of Growing Direct; David Macaulay, managing director of Eden Search and Select; and Jennifer Baker, director of Baker Coaching.
'Attracting new talent to the fresh peroduce and horticulture industries, and retaining and developing the best young people is a high-profile issue,' Hill commented, adding that the new event would help those who have recently joined, or are considering entering, the business would be able to build a good number of contacts at the event as well as being able to review their own business and personal development.
'Fresh Inspirations 2012 will offer the next generation an invaluable opportunity to receive mentoring and coaching from industry leaders, hear their views on where the industry is and will be in the future,' he continued.
'Fresh Inspirations will become the annual must-attend event with far-reaching, year-round benefits for all involved,' he added. 'It is an all-inclusive process that will bring new partners as it evolves through the years.'
Fresh Inspirations is open to all young, aspiring and developing managers, trainees and undergraduates at every stage of the global fresh produce and horticulture supply chain.
The build-up to the conference can be followed on Twitter at @inspirefresh, on Facebook and on LinkedIn.
More information can be found at bit.ly/FreshInspirations
No comments yet