Finalists revealed for the Meat Industry Young Manager of the Year Award

Championing the next generation of leaders in the meat industry is an important part of the annual Meat Management Meat Industry Awards and the organisers have been proud to spotlight many outstanding winners and finalists over the years, including 2024’s brilliant nominees, pictured above.

The 2025 finalists for the Young Manager of the Year Award have now been chosen from an exceptional list of nominees and the winner will be announced at a prestigious dinner and awards presentation on 18^th September at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, hosted by magician Pete Firman. To be there on the night, click here for ticket and table details.

Gwen Mostyn, editor of Meat Management magazine, commented: “Once again it is a pleasure to be able to highlight the work of this year’s talented finalists. Representing sectors from across the industry, this group of young leaders from different parts of the business certainly show that the future is in good hands.

“The Meat Management Meat Industry Awards is always a much-anticipated annual event in the calendar and one not to be missed. The dinner and ceremony is a fantastic opportunity for networking and a unique chance to celebrate with the best in the industry.”

The 2025 Young Manager of the Year finalists

Letitia Redfern – Butchery Development Manager

Booker Group

Letitia has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude, drive and a desire to learn; she has shown outstanding development over eight years at Booker Group where she is currently butchery development manager for 100 branches. Letitia has progressed through internal training programmes at Booker as well as apprenticeship training, obtaining distinction at Level 3, and is now undertaking a Level 5 operations management apprenticeship. Letitia is one of only two female Institute of Meat Master Butchers in the UK and also the youngest.

Letitia has transformed her department by raising standards, achieving 100% scores in Food Safety Audits, winning customer confidence and growing profitable sales. She has become a key point of contact between Booker branches and head office support teams. She is highly respected by both her team members, peers and the Senior Leadership Team.

A fantastic role model for the business and example for other women who may be considering a career in butchery, Letitia has a passion for coaching, training and developing others. She regularly supports Booker’s internal butchery training workshops, demonstrating cutting skills and coaching colleagues on practical exercises.

Amy Nicholas – Director

Morgan’s Butchery

Morgan’s Butchery is a small, independent, family-run butcher shop that takes pride in supporting local farmers and sourcing high-quality, local ingredients. Amy was thrown into the meat industry to support her father when he took on the business as a new venture. As a disabled entrepreneur, he reached out to his daughter for her support and even though she had not worked into the industry before, she jumped at the challenge.

With a role that incorporates a wide variety of responsibilities, from overseeing payroll, organising meetings and writing reports to managing the staff and the store, Amy’s management skills and her focus on creating an ethical, transparent business have been instrumental in building Morgan’s into a successful venture.

Amy is always finding innovative ways to improve the business through initiatives such as sustainability projects and an inclusive shopping plan, making sure the store is accessible to all. The introduction of inclusive practices, for example using Makaton signing, PECS symbols for communication support and braille price lists, helps customers feel confident and comfortable when shopping at Morgan’s.

James Andrews – Meat Account Specialist

Myton Food Group

James began his career at Woodhead Bros as part of the Business Management Degree Apprenticeship programme in 2021, showing an exceptional level of adaptability and impressive resilience by balancing full-time work on the production line with academic study.

His roles on the pork and lamb lines provided him with an in-depth understanding of the operational side of the business, and James also demonstrated leadership skills during his four-week night shift at Flowerworld, where he successfully led a team during the peak periods of Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. James’s transition to working in the sales team in March 2023 highlights his versatility and eagerness to expand his skill set.

Upon completing his Business Management degree in September 2024, James transitioned to a Level 3 role with expanded responsibility, including managing a portfolio of 42 customers and overseeing lamb exports to Europe.

James has proven himself to be a driven, adaptable and capable leader with competence in overseeing critical logistics and supply chain activities as well as an ability to excel in both operational and sales environments.

Jack Rose – Operations Manager

Hilton Food Solutions

Jack joined Hilton in 2021 as an inventory & supply chain executive and quickly progressed to his current role of operations manager. Through previous positions in commercially focused roles, he developed account management and stakeholder relationship skills and honed his commercial instincts, which has stood him in good stead for the broader scope of responsibility he now has at Hilton Food Solutions overseeing a complex international logistics operation.

Jack is responsible for ROW imports, ensuring full compliance across customs, bonded stock, port health, cold chain storage and international transport. As operations manager, he is involved in shaping strategy, building systems and developing people within the business.

Leading a dedicated and high-performing logistics team, Jack is passionate about creating a culture of clarity and support, mentoring and developing team members by providing structure, encouragement and leadership opportunities to strengthen both individual and team performance.

Judges’ Comments:

“I regard it a huge privilege and honour to sit on the judging panel for such a prestigious competition. This is a competition that finds some of the finest young people in the meat industry and as a result makes it one of the most difficult to judge. They are all winners in their own right and will undoubtedly be the industry leaders of the future.” 
Keith Fisher – Institute of Meat

“Meeting the finalists for the Young Manager award has been a real privilege, and rather inspirational. Four very different characters but united by their energy and focus, and I am sure that we will hear more of them in the years to come.” 
Rob Smith – industry consultant and past PTF president

“As always, it was enjoyable to talk to the future of our industry! Four exceptional candidates this year, who demonstrated that the meat industry is a great place to work with brilliant career opportunities.” 
Bill Jermey – chair, Institute of Meat

“I felt so honoured being on the judging panel for the Young Manager Award. The high standard of the applicants makes it a so special and rewarding. This year was no exception when meeting with and talking to the finalists. The enthusiasm shown for our industry was outstanding and selecting the overall winner was a challenge. Well done to our finalists!” 
Christine Walsh – chief executive, Food & Drink Training & Education Council

The judging panel was chaired by Graham Yandell MBE the publisher of Meat Management magazine.

Thank you to our official 2025 Awards Partners…