Every year 'scientists' (or marketers trying to sell you pick-me-up products more like) dub the third Monday in January 'Blue Monday'. The thinking is that it's cold, far from Christmas and everybody is broke, leading to a surge in feelings of depression. Anyone who's ever travelled by Southern Rail knows exactly what that feels like.
But this morning has felt more like Manic Monday, with FPJ breaking the news of three major resignations in the UK fresh produce business within the first hour of the day. The idea that people use the new year to change jobs has been taken to a whole new level with today's developments.
Firstly the news that top-fruit industry stalwart Adrian Barlow is stepping down as chief executive of English Apples & Pears. There will be fulsome tributes to the tireless work he has done in the coming months no doubt, but suffice to say that Adrian truly is the public face of the industry and he has contributed massively to its ongoing success and the increased coverage it has received in the national media. His will be very tough boots to fill.
Neil Sanderson is also leaving his post as managing director of bagged-salad leader Florette, having presided over a period of strong profitability that has left the company with one of the most impressive profit margins in the industry. In a switch that few would have seen coming, Neil is taking over as director of the York Minster Fund, but I would predict that we haven't seen the last of him in the food sector. He has been a popular and amiable figure and there is surely more to come from him in this industry.
Finally, Alan Christie is leaving G's this month, having helped restructure the business and put into place its strategy for the future. It remains one of the most attractive and innovative businesses in the game, and there is much more to come from the company ranked 7th in the FPJ Big 50 2016.
A bad week for bank balances; a good week for recruitment consultants.
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