How did you get to where you are today?
I started my career in the brewing industry, looking after the Carlsberg and Foster's brands, before moving to Phileas Fogg. I was then appointed marketing controller at KP. A few years later I held the position of marketing director at Pataks and then sales and marketing director. Four years into the post I was approached by Nando's. I jumped at the offer to set up their grocery business.
Tell us a bit about The Grocery Company
The Grocery Company was founded in 1999 and has built a reputation for taking restaurant brands and making them successful on supermarket shelves. We are licensed to sell and market Nando's products in the UK and Europe. We also own Cranks, a vegetarian brand, which has been repositioned as the 'Eat good, feel good!' brand.
With the rights to Cranks' best selling cookery books and a restaurant in Devon, The Grocery Company awards manufacturing licenses for a diverse portfolio of products including sandwiches, salads, prepared vegetables and bread. The Nando's product range has been hugely successful, and we are the market leaders in marinades in the UK. We are also the fastest-growing brand in the chilli sauces sector. We've recently launched a range of new Wagamama products.
What are your plans for this year?
To continue putting strong restaurant brands on the supermarket shelves. We have some exciting new product development plans for the Nando's brand and we also plan to expand listings and distribution of the Cranks and Wagamama brands. We are in the process of talking to other restaurant groups about expanding their products into the retail environment. I just hope next summer is as successful as the previous one. Sales of BBQ products soared because of the great weather, which was fantastic for us. As for the rest of the year, expect more new product development and packaging changes. Keeping it fresh is so important in this industry and that's something we strive to do.
What is your working week like?
Busy. We don't stand still for long here. A large amount of my time is spent in meetings with retailers and restaurant companies. At The Grocery Company we believe it is the job that matters, not the hours. We represent a certain style of business - our customers know and love that.
I started my career in the brewing industry, looking after the Carlsberg and Foster's brands, before moving to Phileas Fogg. I was then appointed marketing controller at KP. A few years later I held the position of marketing director at Pataks and then sales and marketing director. Four years into the post I was approached by Nando's. I jumped at the offer to set up their grocery business.
Tell us a bit about The Grocery Company
The Grocery Company was founded in 1999 and has built a reputation for taking restaurant brands and making them successful on supermarket shelves. We are licensed to sell and market Nando's products in the UK and Europe. We also own Cranks, a vegetarian brand, which has been repositioned as the 'Eat good, feel good!' brand.
With the rights to Cranks' best selling cookery books and a restaurant in Devon, The Grocery Company awards manufacturing licenses for a diverse portfolio of products including sandwiches, salads, prepared vegetables and bread. The Nando's product range has been hugely successful, and we are the market leaders in marinades in the UK. We are also the fastest-growing brand in the chilli sauces sector. We've recently launched a range of new Wagamama products.
What are your plans for this year?
To continue putting strong restaurant brands on the supermarket shelves. We have some exciting new product development plans for the Nando's brand and we also plan to expand listings and distribution of the Cranks and Wagamama brands. We are in the process of talking to other restaurant groups about expanding their products into the retail environment. I just hope next summer is as successful as the previous one. Sales of BBQ products soared because of the great weather, which was fantastic for us. As for the rest of the year, expect more new product development and packaging changes. Keeping it fresh is so important in this industry and that's something we strive to do.
What is your working week like?
Busy. We don't stand still for long here. A large amount of my time is spent in meetings with retailers and restaurant companies. At The Grocery Company we believe it is the job that matters, not the hours. We represent a certain style of business - our customers know and love that.
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