Young Manager of the Year judging day a great success

Posted on May 1, 2019

The judging panel for the Meat Management Industry Awards’ Young Manager of the Year category gathered at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London yesterday, for a full day of interviews with four finalists.

L-R: Judges chief executive of IoM Keith Fisher, Meat Management publisher Graham Yandell, UK market director of Danish Crown Rob Smith and chairman of IoM and chief executive of ftc, Bill Jermey.

As a prestigious part of the annual Meat Management Industry Awards, the panel were looking for outstanding candidates aged 32 and under who have achieved qualifications or made exceptional progress as a young meat manager – either through an industry scheme or via a business.

George Williamson of Dunbia.

This year the Award Category celebrates ten years of recognising outstanding talent.

The four finalists competing for the 2019 Award are, Daniella Trunzo, the food safety manager at Owen Taylor & Sons, Emmett Devine, a site production manager with Foyle Food Group based at Omagh, George Williamson, agricultural operations manager at Dunbia, based at Dungannon and Max Roberts, business development manager at Anderton’s Ribble Valley Butchers.

The judging panel yesterday was headed up by Meat Management publisher Graham Yandell, who has over 35 years’ experience of working directly with the UK meat industry, and the other judges were master butcher Keith Fisher, the chief executive of the Institute of Meat, Rob Smith the UK market director of Danish Crown and Bill Jermey, chairman of the Institute of Meat and the chief executive of the Food & Drink Training & Education Council.

Max Roberts of Anderton’s Ribble Valley Butchers.

Summing up the day, Yandell said: “This is a special day that we all look forward to. It is also incredible to reflect that this Award celebrates ten years this year and during that time we have seen some brilliantly talented young people, many of whom have gone on to great things in our industry. I am now really looking forward to the Awards ceremony on 27th June, when all will be revealed.”

Speaking after the judging day, Fisher said: “I know I speak for all the judges when I say we find this process truly inspirational. It really is so encouraging to meet and talk with some brilliant young managers.”

Daniella Trunzo of Owen Taylor & Sons.

Jermey added: “The quality of the candidates we interviewed today, and the diverse roles they occupy, shows what fantastic career paths are offered through today’s meat industry. The finalists came to the meat industry through different routes and backgrounds, and all have a great future ahead of them.”

Smith commented: “Frankly the big problem is choosing the overall winner. All candidates could easily be awarded the accolade, but of course there can only be one winner. It’s really competitive. I know who the winner is and I am excited to anticipate the reaction when we all get together on 27th June to celebrate, and not just this category winner but all the categories recognised.”

Emmett Devine of Foyle Food Group.

The winner of the Young Manager of the Year 2019 will be revealed at the Meat Management Industry Awards 2019 black-tie dinner and ceremony. The biggest event of its kind in the UK meat industry will take place on Thursday 27th June at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

To book your tickets or tables visit www.meatmanagement.com/awards-tickets/ or phone Emma Cash on 01908-613323. For more information Emma can also be reached by email on emma.c@yandellmedia.com.

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