Ask FWD… How can we showcase our work in the sector?

I am a new supplier member of FWD. How do we showcase and get recognition for the work we do in the sector with members and industry professionals? Should we consider the Gold Medal awards?

Firstly, welcome to the FWD!

Our service provider and supplier members play a pivotal role in the sector and we are proud to promote their services all year round, whether that’s through our sector events, our webinars and podcast, or through this very magazine.

The FWD Gold Medals are a fantastic platform to showcase the work you are doing in the sector and for the sector.

Our award categories remain the same for 2024, and they mirror sessions from FWD Live!, notably around hot topics such as sustainability and diversity and inclusion.

We launched the Roadmap to Net Zero for the wholesale sector last summer and host regular sustainability forums to support members on their journey. From a regulations perspective, the race to Net Zero is a requirement. From a company perspective, it is also an aspiration. Businesses who are leading the change through their values and commitments are the ones people sit up and take notice of.

SUSTAINABILITY

Customers, particularly the younger generation, want to buy their products and other companies want to do business with them. Our 2023 Sustainable Supplier award went to Budweiser Brewing Group, which is committed to decarbonising its own operations and supply chain; we urge any supplier member whose initiatives and core values are aligned with sustainability to be put forward for an award.

At FWD Live!, conference sponsor Radnor Hills was keen to highlight the work it is doing in this field, including its on-site recycling facility, £1.8m investment in a new solar farm and its zero-to-landfill site status since 2028. Its remarkable sustainability achievements will give reigning award winner BBG a race to the finish line. We know it’s not just Radnor Hills and that a lot of our members are doing fantastic work around sustainability; and the Gold Medal awards are your chance to showcase this.

DIVERSITY

We launched the Diversity in Wholesale award last year which proved so popular that we awarded two: for a wholesale member and a supplier member. We are delighted to have new member IFE sponsor the supplier award and long-term member Boost Drinks support the wholesale counterpart.

If you have been to a Diversity in Wholesale or Women in Wholesale event, then you will know how popular they are. It is an honour to showcase the outstanding work being done in this field, and our Diversity in Wholesale sponsors help us demonstrate the steps taken in the sector.

Last year, Creed Foodservice won the Diversity in Wholesale award and Martin Holmes has spoken at events and mentored members to help them achieve their own D&I goals. Also, Nisa’s Kate Carroll has been candid about D&I work at Nisa, which saw her become a Women in Wholesale mentor and feature on our WholeStory podcast, talking about employee resource groups.

Again, this is just a small sample of what our member businesses are doing. Being put forward for an FWD Gold Medal is an opportunity for your achievements to be recognised with other members and best practice to be shared. It is only by doing this that positive change can happen.

James Bielby, CEO, FWD

Awards Diversity in Wholesale FWD Gold Medal Awards James Bielby membership service provider supplier sustainability WholeStory Women in Wholesale