New charter aims to grow female representation in food industry
Industry leaders gathered in London this week to launch the Food Business Charter which aims to reach 40% female representation across the global food value chain by 2035.
The programme was created by Meat Business Women in collaboration with more than 30 agri-food businesses around the world.
The Food Business Charter will provide information and practical support for organisations wanting to promote gender equity and create more opportunities for the women on their teams.
The initiative reflects a strategic commitment from senior leaders to address gender imbalance and the attraction and retention of talent into the global food industry.
Meat Business Women is the United Nations (UN) recognised global professional network for women working across the meat industry.
It was created to improve the sustainability of the meat sector and grow the pipeline of female talent in the industry.
Last year, the group 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 that the Food Business Charter is a "defining moment in our industry's journey toward gender equality" and marks a major milestone in the 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," Ryan said.
The charter will be accompanied by an action planning toolkit, designed in collaboration with diversity and inclusion experts, providing organisations with practical strategies to achieve the charter's ambitions.
International agri-business company, Alltech has expressed its commitment to the new initiative by becoming a supporting partner.
The company, founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, has a diverse portfolio of products and services focused on the health and performance of animals and plants.
"We know that a diverse and inclusive workforce isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a business imperative,” Orla McAleer, Alltech’s chief culture officer, said.
“The Food Business Charter is a crucial step towards accelerating change in our industry, ensuring we attract and retain the best talent.
"By supporting this charter, we are reaffirming our dedication to fostering a workplace where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive," she said.
"This isn't about setting targets, it's about transforming our industry's future to ensure it remains profitable and sustainable.
"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," Ryan said.
The launch of the new charter took place in a pivotal week, ahead of International Women's Day.
