Fourteen senior figures in the industry are are set to partner with young wholesale professionals through the FWD’s first ever mentoring scheme, with members of the Future Leaders Forum (FLF) invited to put themselves forward for the scheme.
Volunteers such as FWD chairman Coral Rose will be working with members of the FWD FLF on a one-to-one basis, with a minimum of four online sessions over the next 12 months.
The FLF gives a voice to up-and-coming leaders working for both wholesalers and suppliers in the wholesale sector. The group currently has 40 members and is designed to build the skills, knowledge and confidence of ambitious individuals within the FWD membership who are age 30 or under.
FWD head of engagement Lyndsey Cambridge says: “Mentoring is a great way to accelerate FLF members’ development by tapping into the knowledge of someone further along in their career. It’s a priceless opportunity to learn from someone outside their own organization who can share advice, offer guidance and be a sounding board for your thoughts.
“Diversity and inclusion are vital to the growth, productivity, and strength of a company, and a mentoring program is essential for organisations that want to create a more diverse and inclusive workspace.”
FWD chief executive James Bielby says: “We are delighted to be able to offer this service to help the next generation of wholesale leaders realise their full potential, and form strong and lasting relationships with the senior executives who have been on the same journey themselves. The mentoring scheme is an additional benefit of FWD membership, and a commitment to investing in our members and the future of the wholesale channel.”
The 14 mentors are: Steve Jeavons, Fairway Foodservice; Gary Mullineux, Caterforce; James Russell, AF Blakemore; Pete Bolger, Upfield; Coral Rose, FWD; Andrew Lynas, Lynas Foodservice; Cathal Geoghegan; Henderson Foodservice; Sue Knowles, Costco; Dominic Flanagan, Costco; Clare Bocking, DCS Group; John Kinney, Unitas; Damian McLoughlin, Upfield; Tom Gittins, Confex: and James Bielby, FWD.
