Global food sector unites to transform gender balance with landmark Charter launch
Industry leaders gathered at the House of Lords on 6 March to launch The Food Business Charter with the ambition to reach 40% female representation across the global food value chain by 2035, marking a watershed moment for gender balance in the sector.
The Food Business Charter, developed by Meat Business Women in collaboration with founding signatories from 20 leading businesses across food manufacturing, retail and foodservice supply chain, was launched at an exclusive event hosted by Baroness Minette Batters DL.
The landmark initiative reflects a strategic commitment from senior leaders to address gender imbalance and the attraction and retention of talent into the global food industry. The initiative follows a Meat Business Women industry roundtable last year that highlighted the urgent need for action, with women representing just 33.5% of the meat industry workforce, down from 36% in 2020.
Laura Ryan, global chair and founder of Meat Business Women, said: "The Food Business Charter is a defining moment in our industry's journey toward gender equality and a major milestone for our 10th year of Meat Business Women.
“Working with senior leaders who understand the benefits of a gender-balanced workforce, we've created not just a vision, but a practical roadmap for change.
“This Charter, backed by major global and European food manufacturers, retailers, and foodservice businesses, demonstrates our industry's collective determination to remove barriers and create meaningful opportunities for women at all levels,” said Laura.
The Charter will be accompanied by an Action Planning Toolkit, designed in collaboration with Diversity & Inclusion experts, providing organisations with practical strategies to achieve the Charter's ambitions.
"This isn't about setting targets – it's about transforming our industry's future to ensure it remains profitable and sustainable,” Laura added.
"The Charter provides a framework for organisations to implement practical talent attraction and retention strategies, share best practices, and create lasting change. With the support of our industry partners, we're confident we can achieve sustainable change."
Jamila Gordon, CEO and founder of Lumachain, the event sponsor, said: "The meat and food industry suffers from a chronic shortage of employees, as do the industries that support it, including technology.
“Making sure women are fully represented and can thrive at all levels is vital for these industries' future, and to ensuring we can continue to put food on our tables. The Food Business Charter is an important step in supporting this process, and Lumachain is committed to it."
The launch event took place in a pivotal week, ahead of International Women's Day with key industry leaders officially signing the Charter and pledging their commitment to gender balance.
Baroness Batters sponsored the launch event and shared her support for the Charter, saying: “As a female beef farmer myself and the first woman to lead the NFU in 113yrs I’m delighted to sponsor the launch of the Charter. I believe it marks a critical milestone in providing a much needed framework for enabling and empowering women to progress their careers in the meat industry.”
The Food Business Charter has also gained a letter of support from HRH The Princess Royal, who is a long-time supporter of Meat Business Women, having previously spoken at their conference.
Founding signatories of the Food Business Charter include, ABP Food Group, Australian Meat Processor Corporation, Australian Meat Group, Avara Foods, Cargill Protein, Cranswick Plc, Dunbia & Dawn Meats, Finnebrogue, Greencore, Hilton Foods Plc, International Procurement and Logistics (IPL), Kepak, Lumachain, Meat & Livestock Australia, Minerva Foods Australia, Myton Food Group & Morrisons, OSI Europe, Sofina Foods, Tesco and Thomas Foods.
For more information about Meat Business Women and how to sign The Food Business Charter, click here
