2025 Finalists

This year's judges were presented with a huge amount of top quality entries, giving them the unenviable task of selecting a handful of finalists in each category. Our full shortlist for the 2025 event is below.  The winners will be announced on Thursday 6 February 2025 at London Hilton Bankside .

Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2025 Finalists

Business Leader of the Year:

  • George Hughes-Davies - Daily Dose
  • Ivan Siqueira - Pilgrim's Europe
  • James Arnold - Sleaford Quality Foods
  • Laura Bounds - Kent Crisps

Collaboration and Partnership Award:

  • Arla Foods & Nestlé
  • Banham Poultry & RideTandem
  • Promtek, Trigg Electrical & Fuerst Day Lawson
  • Raynor Foods & Software Imaging

Emerging Business Award:

  • Daily Dose
  • The Mac Factory

Employer of the Year:

  • Charlie Bigham's
  • Finnebrogue
  • Fresh Olive Company T/A Belazu
  • Noble Foods
  • Sleaford Quality Foods
  • The Compleat Food Group

ESG Excellence Award:

  • Britvic
  • Dunbia UK
  • Marshfield Farm Ice Cream
  • Pilgrim's Europe
  • Raynor Foods
  • Stateside Foods

Factory Manager of the Year:

  • Arianne Langham - Fudge Kitchen
  • Matt Hill - Charlie Bigham's
  • Zaggy Zachariou - Pilgrim's Europe

Food Integrity Award:

  • Kirsty's
  • Nestlé
  • Ross Priory

Manufacturer of the Year:

  • Charlie Bigham's Quarry Kitchen
  • Daily Dose
  • Raynor Foods
  • Simply Doughnuts
  • The Tracklement Co

Future Talent Award:

  • Eleanor Langford - Nestlé
  • Freya Leigh Shields - Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
  • George Lilley - Pilgrim's Europe
  • Sarah Gant - Arla Foods
  • Tom Coates - Pilgrim's Europe
  • Youssef Hachem - Hovis

International Trade Award:

  • Kent Crisps
  • The Anglesey Sea Salt Co
  • Vibrant Brands

Site Team of the Year:

  • Charlie Bigham's, Quarry Kitchen
  • Daily Dose, Corby
  • Fresh Olive Company T/A Belazu
  • Pilgrim's Europe, Westerleigh
  • Proper Cornish, Bodmin

Supply Chain Excellence Award:

  • Califia Farms
  • Fresh Direct
  • Cranswick

Outstanding Community Engagement:

  • Dunbia UK
  • Nestlé
  • The Felix Project
  • Yeo Valley

The Innovation Award:

  • Myco - Hooba
  • Apetito - Project Boomerang
  • Raynor Foods - Smart People + Smart Process = Smart Factory
  • Cranswick - Sustainable Food Manufacturing Supply Chain
  • Cornish Sea Salt Co - TekSalt

Health Hero Award:

  • Brusco Food Group
  • Eatlean Ingredients
  • Heck Food
  • Myco
  • Soul Fruit
  • Well-Fed
  • Zebedees

What our customers say...

We are incredibly proud to have been recognised as winners in three categories at this year’s Food Manufacture awards, especially taking home the coveted ‘Company of the Year’ title. This has only been achieved through the incredible efforts of our colleagues, and I would like to thank them for their support and commitment which has enabled us to continue to deliver outstanding service to our customers.

Adam Couch Chief Executive Officer Cranswick plc

I’m really proud that together, all our hard work has been recognised by this award, which was delivered through focusing on developing people, who are our major asset.

Paul Thomas Head of Operations Muller

To win two awards at such a high-profile industry event was amazing. There were some top companies there as finalists, so we were proud just to be taking part; really gratifying, and testament to all the hard work put in by the whole Simply Doughnuts team.

Shiraz Master Managing director Simply Doughnuts

For any business, large or small, considering entering, we encourage you to take that leap. The awards celebrate innovation across the board, and every company has a story worth telling. Whether you’re a small business making a big impact or an industry giant setting new standards, your achievements deserve to be recognised.

Charlotte Langdon Partner Menzies LLP

We are very proud to be sponsoring Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2022. Reward and recognition are key parts of continuous improvement, and it is our honour to be able to support the 2022 Food Excellence awards, just as we have in the past, so that those who have excelled in the UK’s largest manufacturing sector get appropriate recognition.

LI Europe