Food and drink reset for recovery 3 | ONE

Sector experts and businesses shared insights, advice and case studies on business strategy, planning and finance for the food and drink sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses of all sizes have had to adapt to major market and customer changes at an accelerated pace in recent months. This webinar was designed to help business owners, leaders and managers plan effectively as the industry prepares for economic recovery. It covered strategy and business planning, stepping back from reactive thinking, and identifying and addressing challenges to achieve long-term resilience.

Summaries of the speakers’ content, a link to a recording of the webinar and a downloadable copy of a presentation used on the day are provide below.

The webinar was aimed at food and drink manufacturing and processing businesses based in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray and was delivered via the North East Scotland Food & Drink Network, organised by ONE in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council.

For more information on the North East Scotland Food & Drink Network, please email Elizabeth Mathie.

Speakers 8 July 2020

Patrick Machray OBE, Vice-Chair of Opportunity North East

Patrick Machray is a chartered accountant and the former chair of ONE Food, Drink & Agriculture and SRUC. He led Johnston Carmichael to become Scotland’s largest independent accountancy and business advisory firm before leading the turnaround and transformation of Scotland’s largest agricultural cooperative ANM Group into one of the most progressive producer-owned farming, food and finance businesses in Scotland. He shared his extensive experience of advising businesses on strategy, planning, restructuring and growth with a focus on looking at the factors that matter most and informed decision making.

Richard Bathgate, Restructuring Partner, Johnston Carmichael

These are exceptional times and it is crucial that businesses act quickly in identifying the potential challenges they may face. Richard outlined the steps to manage and minimise damage to a business and how to work towards a successful outcome.

Bill Dean, Managing Director of Dean’s, and Calum Richardson, Chef/Director, The Bay Fish & Chips, shared insights on how their respective businesses have actively embraced change and evolved.

You can view the recording of the 8 July webinar here.