People Power: Fresh Awards 2026 Celebrates The Talent Driving The Produce Industry
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Behind every great fresh produce business is something even more valuable than the crop itself: people.
From ambitious young professionals stepping into leadership roles, to experienced managers guiding teams through complex supply chains, the UK’s fresh produce and floral sector is powered by individuals whose commitment and passion keep the industry moving.
The Fresh Awards 2026 is once again shining a spotlight on that human energy, with several categories dedicated specifically to recognising the people and workplace cultures that drive success across the supply chain.
With entries now open, the awards programme is encouraging businesses across the industry to celebrate the individuals and teams whose work often happens behind the scenes — yet makes a huge difference every day.
Rising Star Spotlight
Every industry needs its next generation of leaders — and the Rising Star category celebrates those already showing exceptional promise.
Last year’s winner, Tanya Peters of MDS, impressed judges with her leadership potential, professionalism and ability to deliver meaningful change across multiple host businesses during the graduate development programme.
Judges praised her “striking maturity” and ability to combine strategic thinking with strong emotional intelligence — the hallmarks of a future industry leader.
The Rising Star award highlights individuals who are already making an impact early in their careers and helping to shape the future direction of the produce sector.
Manager Of The Year
Leadership is often the difference between a good business and a great one — and the Manager of the Year award recognises those who bring out the very best in their teams.
Last year’s winner, Rebecca Emery of Pro-Force, was recognised for transforming the organisation’s compliance function while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and care across the business.
Judges highlighted the way she bridged operational and compliance teams while empowering colleagues to uphold the highest ethical standards — demonstrating how strong leadership can influence the culture of an entire organisation.
The category celebrates managers who combine operational excellence with people-first leadership — a vital combination in today’s fast-moving supply chains.
Best Place To Work
Attracting and retaining talent is one of the biggest challenges facing the fresh produce industry today.
The Best Place to Work category recognises businesses that create environments where people genuinely thrive — through strong culture, professional development opportunities and genuine support for employee wellbeing.
In 2025, Riviera Produce took the title after demonstrating exceptional staff engagement, strong internal promotion pathways and a culture where employees feel valued and supported.
Judges noted that the company’s approach to nurturing talent and building long-term careers made it a standout example of a modern produce business investing in its people.
Team Of The Year
Great businesses are built on collaboration — and the Team of the Year category recognises groups whose collective efforts deliver real industry impact.
Last year, Smurfit Westrock secured the award for its highly collaborative team approach to developing a new paper-based berry punnet solution designed to replace plastic packaging in the UK market.
Judges praised the team’s cross-department collaboration and commitment to understanding the needs of produce suppliers and consumers alike.
The category highlights the power of teamwork in driving innovation, sustainability and practical solutions across the supply chain.
Celebrating The Industry’s Greatest Asset
From growers and wholesalers to logistics specialists, retailers and service providers, the fresh produce industry is one of the most people-driven sectors in the UK food economy.
Recognising those individuals and teams not only celebrates success — it also helps attract the next generation of talent into a sector that offers exciting and rewarding careers.
With entries now open, the Fresh Awards 2026 is inviting businesses across the industry to put forward the colleagues and teams who deserve recognition on the sector’s biggest stage.
Because while produce may start in the field, it is people who make the industry flourish.
Entries are now open at:
Comments