Mmmake Your Mark Campaign
An event for food, drink, farming, and hospitality businesses to celebrate working in food, learn about recruitment, and, staff training opportunities
August 2025 – South Devon Food Hub
The topic was selected because we are aware of challenges in recruitment, skills and working in the agri-food supply chain – a prominent sector nationally and particularly in Devon where the Great South West is estimated to have 1 in 5 people work in agri-food.
We were pleased to engage with the national campaign, Mmmake Your Mark, a celebration of working in this industry, in all its breadth. The campaign is led by the Institute of Grocery Distribution, and we were very pleased to welcome Amie Burke from the IGD on the 2025 launch date to our event.
The event featured speakers from a range of organisations, sparking questions and discussion. One of the standout takeaways was the invitation for businesses to get in contact with the educational and skills providers to enable an evolving understanding of the knowledge and skills that are required.
Hosted by Greg Parsons, speakers included:
- Mmmake Your Mark, Amie Burke, IGD
- Skills Bootcamps, Annie McClean, Train4Tomorrow
- Regenerative Agriculture free courses, Rachel Phillips, The Apricot Centre
- Prof Harry G West, Food Studies, University of Exeter
- Laurence Lewin, South Devon College
- Luke King, Technical & Supply Chain Manager, Riverford
- Vince Flower – Chair, Visit Devon, Devon & Partners LVEP & Young Devon
- Amanda Ringleberg, Prisons Employment Advisory Board
- Richard Hunt, Chef Consultant, and, Culinary Director for Food Drink Devon
This event was a collaboration between ourselves, the Devon Food Partnership, and Food Drink Devon with generous support from the South Devon Food Hub and Devon County Council.
A summary of key takeaways and contact details from the event can be accessed below: