James Withers, CEO of Scotland Food & Drink, with Stuart McCallum, Regional Lead for Food and Drink, Clydesdale Bank, in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
Industry leadership organisation Scotland Food & Drink (SF&D) held its Annual General Meeting and Conference yesterday, 20 March. The event was held at Glasgow?s new Emirates arena, attended by 240 industry professionals, representing SF&D members and par
Date:
Thu, 21 Mar 2013
Source:
Scotland Food & Drink
The Conference focused on growth at home and overseas. ?With food and drink exports showing record growth since 2007 - up 50% - and with the major sporting events of 2014 attracting huge interest, this is a time of unprecedented opportunity for the nation's food and drink producers.
The industry leadership organisation?s membership now stands at 331 companies which range from small artisan producers to global brands and multiple retailers.?All play their part working towards the industry target of a turnover of ?12.5bn by 2017 and building Scotland?s reputation as a Land of Food and Drink. ?The event culminated with a lunch showcasing Scottish produce inside the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
The Scotland Food & Drink Annual Conference?was held in partnership with Clydesdale Bank this year, as part of a six month collaboration?with the express aim of?harnessing?the bank?s economic?expertise and insight?to assist companies' growth.
As well as the bank's analysis of the current economic climate, Scotland's new tourism strategy - in which food and drink is a cornerstone - was laid out by Scottish Tourism Alliance CEO Marc Crothall. ?Scotland Food & Drink announced plans to showcase Scottish produce during the Ryder Cup, Commonwealth Games and Homecoming celebrations in 2014.
Anne MacColl, CEO of Scottish Development International, expanding on?Scotland?s export?ambition and the role of food and?drink, whilst Taste of Arran MD Alastair?Dobson highlighted how Scotland's small and medium sized business could crack the export market. ?The conference session ending with delegates discussing the review of the industry's growth strategy where the focus needs to be over the coming years.
James Withers, Scotland Food & Drink Chief Executive, said: ?In the six years since Scotland Food & Drink?s conception, our industry has made enormous progress. The food and drink sector continues to grow at a tremendous rate and we feel there?s huge potential in domestic and export markets to maintain this trend.
?Our Conference, which enjoyed a record turnout, offered a welcome summary of the opportunities ahead. ?The level of support for companies out there is huge, whether direct from Scotland Food & Drink or from our partners across the industry and public sector. ?I genuinely believe the export surge we're witnessing is a game changer for our sector.?But within our shores too, there is much progress we can still make to ensure Scottish produce leads the way across retail and the catering industry.
Stuart McCallum, Regional Lead for?Food and Drink for Clydesdale Bank in Scotland, said: ?Our country?s reputation as a location synonymous with quality and excellence in the food and drink sector continues to grow.?
??The opportunity for Clydesdale Bank to enhance our existing strong relationship with Scotland Food & Drink by forming a strategic partnership is one which we?re relishing.?
?We believe there is huge potential for the sector's contribution to Scotland?s economy to grow still further, and we?re confident that close collaboration with our new partners will play an important part in helping to achieve that objective.?
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