One of the strengths of MDS is the collaboration of its member companies - many of which are market competitors. All of the companies recognise the importance of working together for the common good.
This partnership approach remains unique in the business world and was the idea of a small group of far-sighted growers, who realised 20 years ago there was an urgent need for qualified people to support the expansion of the industry.
Today, their vision is a reality with hundreds of graduates having successfully completed the MDS programme, which offers accelerated management training, covering every element of the supply chain in the fresh food and produce industry.
The membership has increased significantly over the past two decades and, while the programme is constantly being reviewed and refined to meet changing needs, the principles have stayed the same.
Trainees learn necessary skills and competencies through real life work experience at up to four member companies; these are known as secondments and are supported by off-the-job learning. In a staged and carefully-planned programme they learn about self-management, people management and business management - a process that brings big benefits to both sides.
Founder chairman Peter Shepherd says that, even 20 years ago, the market was becoming more demanding and customer driven. “We knew the future success of our business would depend on having the right people in the right jobs. Joining forces was a unique concept which has stood the test of time. It made us stronger and more professional and we achieved our aim of attracting bright, young graduates into the industry which at that time had a poor image in career terms. Without MDS many of us might not have survived.
“One of my greatest pleasures is seeing so many of our former trainees now in top jobs, in a position of influence making decisions and taking the industry to a new level. We wanted to grow our own managers and we sowed a seed that has been nurtured and harvested ever since,” he adds.
New member companies quickly signed up and today the programme is self-perpetuating with former trainees acting as ambassadors for MDS as they move around the industry. Some have taken on the role of secondment managers, some are directors of the MDS board, while others return as guest lecturers or to assist with recruitment interviews.
While a high proportion have remained with member companies, others have developed their careers in different ways. All look back on MDS with affection and pay tribute to the support and learning they received, which gave them the confidence, skills and knowledge that might otherwise have taken years to achieve.
Among them is David Hoyles. He reached the final three of the Young Farmer of the Year competition, thanks to the innovative changes he has made since returning to the family farm in Lincolnshire after several years with G’s Marketing. He has applied sound business principles to ensure the product grown is the product the customer wants to buy - quality, consistency and good value are all-important.
Hoyles reached the finals of this new competition by demonstrating business acumen, technical expertise, environmental and social awareness and marketing skills - a far cry from the previous generation where planting the crop and selling it on was usually the sole aim.
“MDS changed me completely,” says Hoyles. “I was thrown into a position of responsibility and had to grow up very quickly. I was exposed to people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds; some became role models while from others I learned how not to do things which is just as important.”
Rowen Markie, another former trainee, is now co-owner of an overseas sourcing company supplying primarily southern-hemisphere fruits to the German, Austrian and French markets through the marketing company SanLucar.
She and her partner Scott Dowle set up Machu Picchu Fruit based in Spain about a year ago. “It’s been tremendously exciting and we never stop learning,” says Markie, who has been brushing up on the Spanish she learned during an MDS secondment in the 90s.
“MDS helped me in so many ways. It taught me that life and work is full of opportunities and being thrown in at the deep end with four secondments gave me the confidence to deal with any situation. When we took the decision to move to Spain I never had any doubts I would be able to cope.”
Mary Brown (nee Rhodes) is purchasing manager (packaging) for Geest, a company she joined about eight years ago as an agronomist working in new product development. She describes MDS as “a valuable stepping stone from academia, allowing you to learn from your mistakes” and move on.
“In my job I have to manage people inside and outside the company; the MDS focus on relationships has been invaluable from the very start and I’m sure gave me an edge over other people,” Brown adds.
“There is a real drive and energy within the industry these days and I’m sure much of it is due to MDS-trained people. Having been involved in recruiting myself I can see exactly what MDS offers from an employer’s perspective - there is a broad experience and self-awareness that non-MDS applicants simply can’t match.”
While tributes like these reflect a winning formula, there is no danger of MDS becoming complacent or resting on its laurels. “Looking back is all well and good but the future depends on keeping up with changing conditions and ensuring members and trainees continue to get the best out of the programme,” says chairman Doug Henderson.
Henderson has just completed his first year as MDS chairman during which he has carried out a wide-ranging review of the training provision to ensure that learning outcomes are closely aligned with national standards as set by the Chartered Management Institute. New topics are also being introduced, including category management, which reflects the growing importance of supermarkets to the industry.
“We are also re-focusing our efforts on people management, an area in which we want all our trainees to excel,” adds Henderson. “Twenty years on, the industry still remains concerned about its ability to attract qualified graduates to meet the challenges presented by a rapidly-changing environment - MDS can help fill that gap.”
HELP US CELEBRATE...
MDS marks its 20th anniversary in 2006.
Plans are underway for a celebration, probably in November, to bring together former trainees, member companies, suppliers and others who have played an important part in its growth over the past two decades. To make it a night to remember there will be some special guests and a few surprises so keep your eye on the website (www.mds-ltd.co.uk) and watch out for more details in the spring.
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