FWD column: Proceed with cautious optimism

The FWD Gold Medal Awards provide the opportunity to reflect on the past year as well as celebrating achievements, says FWD chairman Dawood Pervez

The FWD Gold Medal Awards provided the opportunity to reflect on the past year. It’s been one of change and not without its highlights and challenges. I’m entering my third year as FWD chairman. When I started, I encouraged members to focus on three key areas: planet; talent; and trade. Fast forward two years and as I stood on stage at the FWD Gold Medal Awards, it was a privilege to reflect on the fantastic work of members in these areas and more – we have taken great strides.

We’ve seen members embrace sustainability. This year’s Sustainable Supplier Gold Medal Award went to Britvic for its work in this area, sourcing renewable electricity via dedicated solar and wind installations, and the introduction of EV charging infrastructure and building heat recovery systems. I know other supplier members and wholesalers are working hard behind the scenes to make a positive impact. It’s only by working together and sharing knowledge and best practice that we will achieve net zero as a sector.

My second focus, on talent, was clearly demonstrated at the awards as we celebrated from wholesalers and our partners in supply. The Emerging Talent Supplier and Wholesaler awards are firm favourites, and celebrate individuals rising in the channel, the majority through the FWD Future Leaders Forum. The Gold Medals is a fantastic platform where all sides of wholesale are acknowledged, from the managers through to the drivers and telesales teams. All of these cogs work together to create a dynamic and fast-moving sector, and I love that the awards represent every part that goes to making up wholesale.

We have also been able to showcase the work within the sector in diversity, equity and inclusion, a big focus for FWD this year. Our brilliant conference on World Mental Health Day in October highlighted the forward-thinking work the sector is doing in this field have a voice and feel valued at work. It is remarkable the work wholesalers and suppliers are doing and the results speak for themselves, with a more productive workforce, which means greater results. What’s more, the conversations around mental health, inclusivity and building supportive workplaces have been groundbreaking for our sector and we’re providing employers with the tools they need to foster diverse, healthy workplaces.

Government

FWD has been steadfast in making sure wholesale remains front and centre to the new government. This year, Defra confirmed it is delaying mandatory EPR labelling on packaging across the UK until 2028 – and new fee rates are expected imminently to replace the rates published in August. FWD landed a great win on the definition of household waste, which will save wholesalers a lot of money on own-label products. The new Labour Government officially confirmed it has scrapped plans to introduce Not For EU Labelling in Great Britain on a mandatory basis. It’s a big win for the sector and FWD was a key part of seeing off a completely unworkable policy with major cost and operational implications. It is through the tireless lobbying of FWD that these changes have been made and growth is possible.

Suppliers

FWD helps suppliers to understand the opportunity the wholesale channel offers for their brands. We have seen fantastic evidence of this, including new FWD supplier member Tropicana showcasing in-depot activation at Bestway. But the 2024 champion is Mars Wrigley Confectionery, who took home the gold for Best Marketing and Promotional Activation.

What will 2025 bring? Only time will tell, but as we focus on the positives from the past year, we can start the new year with a sense of optimism for this robust sector.

Britvic Dawood Pervez diversity FWD column FWD Gold Medals Government suppliers sustainability