Fresh Produce, Food, Agriculture and Horticulture recruitment specialists, MorePeople are on a mission to highlight the value of Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) to the industry. Last Tuesday, the firm held an exclusive event for top-tier executives to launch their new initiative.
Championed by Barclays Business Bank and the Non-Executive Directors’ Association (NEDA), the event welcomed representatives from both to speak – Adam White and Barry Gamble respectively.
Industry big hitters, such as the former CEO of the Co-op, Steve Murrells, now head of Hilton Food Group, joined start-up entrepreneur, Charlie Guy of LettUs Grow and owner of the family-run Burgess Farms, William Burgess to give attendees real insight into the positive impact NEDs have had on their businesses.
Steve Murrells had this to say: “Guy Morton asked me to share my experiences and learnings working with Non-Executive Directors as part of the event. I’ve always found them extremely helpful in many areas. In a way, they are the cheerleaders of any organisation because not only are they there to bring insight and experience, they are also there to make sure the management team feel motivated and supported.”
Executive Chairman of MorePeople, Guy Moreton said: “We want to showcase just how invaluable a Non-Executive Director can be to a business, no matter how big or how small. This event helped us do just that. I was blown away by our speakers – we all were – they did a brilliant job of positioning NEDs as the ‘critical friend’ all business owners and exec teams need by their side.”
Other speakers, including life coach and clean energy consultant, Jacqui Green and Chairman of Ingå Group, Neil Sanderson, both NEDs themselves, provided an honest and uplifting introduction into becoming a NED, explaining just how much you stand to gain both personally and professionally from taking up the position.
Moreton adds: “At MorePeople, we’ve had a NED for over 20 years now and it was the best business decision I ever made. It transformed MorePeople. We want to help clients and other businesses reap the rewards and find them the right NED for the job. We also want to support those looking for NED positions find businesses where they can really add value and properly get stuck into the role.”
Phil Cookson of Roythornes Solicitors completed the line-up with an “everything you need to know” presentation on the legalities of becoming or hiring a NED.
The event was held on Tuesday, 19th September at Peterborough’s Kingsgate Conference Centre and was attended by some 100 food, agriculture and horticultural business owners and senior executives.
