How does it work?
Quick powerful advice from inspirational leaders of today.
Are you keen to get access to inspirational leaders of today for advice, support and inspiration?
Perhaps you’re working through a work challenge and keen to receive the viewpoint of one of our panel members.
Maybe you’re at a crossroads in your career and keen to get advice from industry experienced people. Have an important interview coming up? No problem, you could utilise the expertise of the panel as a sounding board.
Or you may already be operating at C-suite/ Board level and this is a great networking opportunity to connect with other likeminded leaders.
3 Rules of The Mentors Club
1. You must talk about The Mentors Club – pass it on.
2. Make an honest donation in line with the value you receive, the more the better.
3. And finally, don’t pester your mentor by asking for a job.
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Meet The Mentors
Mary Wilson
Marketing Director Westmill (ABF Group)
Mary Wilson
Mary has nearly 25 years’ marketing & brand building experience and has worked within a number of environments such as multi-national Seagram Distillers & Vintners, Premier Foods, Lil-lets UK through to a privately owned food & drink innovation business. She is deeply passionate about making a difference for both the brands and the people that she works with.
“I am known & respected for my energy, empathy & creativity. For my ability to engage, inspire and motivate. I see the opportunity, create the strategy, bringing out the best in others to deliver best in class execution to win hearts and market share.
My values are: Making a difference | Authentic Connection | Achievement | Helping Others | Integrity
These play-out best in a consumer & people-first organisation that at its core has a deep respect & curiosity to understand the consumer & its people. One that is conscious of the relationship between company performance and company culture.
With a strong proven track record for delivering business & brand growth, I love to transform & elevate brands in agile, commercial environments. Either from concept or by turning around an underperforming brand that has lost its connection to today’s consumer”
Peter Allan
Managing Director Billington Food Group
Peter Allan
Peter is the Managing Director for The Billington Food Group. Having graduated from Westminster University, Peter initially served 5 years with the British Army before joining Cargill in 1995. Having enjoyed a very successful career with Cargill, spanning 25 years, Peter progressed his way through the organisation and became a member of the European Board before joining The Billington Food Group in January 2021.
Experienced in a broad range of manufacturing, operations, supply chains and customers including international brand leaders and multiples, having managed multi-site businesses across both global and local geographies.
Sue Garfitt
Chief Executive Officer Alpro
Sue Garfitt
Having known Sue for over 10 years, I’ve experienced first-hand her incredible work ethic, her energy and her dogged determination to succeed.
Sue’s incredible career in the industry spans over 25 years – having worked with the likes of Britvic Soft Drinks, Burton’s Foods and MapleLeaf Foods to name just a few.
Sue joined Alpro as CEO in 2014 with a clear vision – to change the way the world eats for the better by creating delicious, naturally healthy plant-based foods, for the maximum wellbeing of everyone and with the utmost respect for the planet.
A big supporter of inclusive diversity: Sue champions bringing different people together in a team to collaborate and achieve a singular vision.
Andrew Selley
Chief Executive Officer Bidfood
Andrew Selley
Having become CEO of Bidfood UK in 2014 Andrew also sits on the Bidcorp global leadership foodservice group primarily developing the Food Logistics business in the UK as well as businesses in Turkey, the Middle East, the Baltics and Spain.
As the leading supplier of food, beverages, packaging and services to the hospitality industry in the UK, the Bidcorp group serves over 50,000 customers via Bidfood, the Caterfood buying group and Bidfresh. They employ more than 7,000 people in the UK alone and the group have a shared focus on service excellence, sustainability, food innovation and delivering great value.
Andrew is Commissioner on the Food Farming and Countryside Commission and also sits on the advisory board of the National Food Strategy.
Prior to joining Bidfood Andrew’s career began at Coca-Cola, where he worked his way up from Graduate Trainee to Trading Director of the wholesale division.
Finally, Andrew is the author of the much-acclaimed business book “Ignite your Business” – a superb insight into the cornerstones of business success.
Through Andrew’s vast experience and accessible coaching style he can assist other CEOs and aspiring business leaders to achieve their goals of rapid profit improvement, engaged and motivated teams and clear business strategies.
Elizabeth Langley-Jones
Chief Commercial Officer Baker & Baker
Elizabeth Langley-Jones
Having graduated from Leeds University, Elizabeth joined Nestle on their graduate scheme with a focus on R&D. A short time later she was hired by Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate. Having quickly established herself in the commercial function and after becoming the UK Sales Director, Elizabeth grabbed a once in a life time opportunity to move to Singapore to head up the APAC region, developing Australia, New Zealand and South Korea amongst other places.
At the beginning of 2020 Elizabeth joined CSM Bakery Solutions (now Baker & Baker), an international leader in the Baking Industry.
Elizabeth sits on the European Management team and is the Vice President for Modern Trade & Food Service across Continental Europe & International markets.
Ally Yates
Author, Director & Learning Coach
Ally Yates
Ally is a Director, an Author and Leadership Coach and has almost 3 decades of talent development, leadership learning and business savvy curated across multiple industries worldwide – including the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.
Ally is known for creating courage and confidence in leaders at all levels. She inspires leadership self-belief through the customised delivery of learning experiences, team facilitation and coaching which unapologetically focus on leadership behaviours combined with neuroscience and academic rigour.
Obsessionally curious, Ally is a lifelong learner and business thought partner. She is the author of “Utter Confidence – how what you say and do influences your effectiveness in business”. Her second book, in progress, focuses on the challenging transition from individual contributor to first line manager and reflects Ally’s extensive experience supporting people through this stage of their leadership development.
John Weaver
CEO & NED at Health Made Easy Group
John Weaver
John is an experienced CEO and an International Coach Federation qualified business, personal and team coach. Following a tri-lingual MBA at ESCP John worked with Beiersdorf, Danone, Coca-Cola, Budweiser, Unilever and Nestle amongst others in sales and marketing management or in his role as a senior management consultant at Kearney.
Latterly as CEO, John has been involved in the acquisition, turnaround and sale of SMEs in the distribution and health and wellness space. John currently manages a portfolio career as a Director to businesses in commercial property, health products and as a coach to private individuals and organisations.
Julia Darvill
UK Managing Director Puratos
Julia Darvill
Julia is the Managing Director for the UK arm of Puratos, the £1.9Bn turnover, global Bakery Ingredients supplier.
After an early career within the drinks industry for the likes of Molson Coors and Britvic, Julia initially joined Puratos as UK Sales Director in 2015. After 3 years of consecutive and successful growth Julia was promoted to Managing Director and now leads the 120 strong UK workforce setting their vision and strategic direction in the ever competitive and evolving bakery ingredients arena.
As a Dynamic Managing Director with extensive leadership experience in B2C and B2B businesses across multi-channel trading arenas Julia is skilled in building highly engaged and motivated teams and passionate about creating greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Alex Demetriou
Group Managing Director Regency Purchasing Group
Alex Demetriou
Alex is the Managing Director for the Regency Purchasing Group, a key player in supporting the UK Food & Drink supply chain servicing over 3000 customers across the UK.
As an experienced Managing Director with a demonstrated history of working across the wholesale and leisure industries Alex is skilled in operations management, sales, event management and in addition, is Director of multiple venues in Hospitality including The Grand Pier at Weston-Super-Mare.
Alex’s also runs a hugely successful charitable trust – raising over £1.6 million to date to fund local charities and individuals in need of medical support and corrective surgery.
Sue McVie
MD Accelerator Businesses Pilgrim’s Food Masters
Sue McVie
Sue is a purpose-led growth leader and entrepreneur who unlocks the potential in people and ideas.
With a proven track record in business start-up & SME business transformation combined with thought leadership in DTC and digital commerce.
Having worked with United Biscuits, her career progressed through the likes of Coca Cola, Pepsico and Vodafone before joining Kerry Foods in 2012 as Shopper Marketing Director and then as Managing Director for Oakhouse Foods in 2017. Sue was also a vital part of the Kerry Foods Leadership Team leading a portfolio of fast-growth DTC and Accelerator businesses.
Sue’s an industry leader who’s full of insightful knowledge and advice and deeply passionate about giving back to the industry through coaching and mentorship.
The Charities We're Proud to Support
Magic Breakfast
We are a registered charity aiming to end hunger as a barrier to education in UK schools through the provision of healthy breakfasts to children living with food poverty. We work with over 1,000 Primary, Secondary and ASL/Special Educational Needs schools, plus Pupil Referral Units.
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Macmillan
Whatever cancer throws your way, we're right there with you. We provide physical, emotional and financial support to help you live life as fully as you can. We take time to understand you as a person, so we can provide the support, tools and inspiration you need to find your best way through.
Visit Website
RMHC
Ronald McDonald House Charities rely on the generosity of fundraisers to help us support families in our Houses. Our vision is for every child in hospital to have their families close by, and to ensure families are fully supported in our Houses and remain actively involved in their child’s care.
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