With last Friday’s superb Olympic opening ceremony ending with a spotlight on the next generation of athletes, it seems appropriate that we do the same for produce.

The debate about who is coming through to be the managers of tomorrow certainly pre-dates my time in the industry, and these concerns are not likely to abate any time soon.

That’s why it’s a pleasure to be able to introduce the Class of 2012 (see pages 20-21), graduates of the MDS training scheme who are already showing great promise and who have all landed roles in the industry. From technical and account managers to those joining supermarkets and even magazines, this is as diverse a crop of graduates as you can imagine.

From veterans like Duncan Worth to new stars such as Adam Hill, the MDS training programme continues to supply the trade with talented and motivated individuals who will play a prominent role in the evolution of the industry. We will no doubt be hearing much more about this 2012 group in the years ahead.

With funding for land-based training courses thin on the ground and colleges needing to innovate to stay open, it is even more important that we celebrate these success stories.