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Making a Real Difference Awards 2024

Outstanding Contributions Celebrated at the
Making a Real Difference Awards

Outstanding Contributions Celebrated at the Making a Real Difference Awards

apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods recently hosted its Making a Real Difference Awards to celebrate the incredible work of its employees.

The Awards evening, held at the Trowbridge Civic Centre, was all about recognising individuals and teams that have gone the extra mile in enabling apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods to serve its customers and make a real difference.

There were eight award categories, each with their own criteria: from Passion for Service through to Unsung Hero. Over 150 nominations were submitted by nominees from across the business, with a team of judges, made up of colleagues, having the difficult job of choosing the winners.

Winners on the night included The Electric Vehicle Roll Out Team, who walked away with the Ethical and Sustainable Award following work in delivering an ‘industry-first’ for the mobilisation of refrigerated electric vehicles. This £14.3 million investment is a key milestone in apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods wider mission to convert 75% of its entire Wiltshire Farm Foods delivery fleet to EVs before the end of 2025, a change set to save 1,358 tonnes of CO2e per year.

For the first time in apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods history, there were two winners of the Unsung Hero award. Senior Project Manager, Sarah Richards is a real asset to the company and her expertise has been vital to the development of key product ranges including our world leading texture modified range for people who suffer from dysphagia (swallowing difficulties).

Warehouse Operator, Dave Ozanne who also won the award, is a vital part of our world-first closed-loop meal tray recycling system. On a daily basis, Dave supports the processing of 1000kg of trays. His relentless work ethic and attention to detail have been pivotal in apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods' achievement of recycling over 25 million trays since the project's launch.

Sustainability Executive, Lottie Percy won the inaugural Rising Star award. Since joining in 2022, she has become central to the business and has made her mark working on business-critical initiatives such as food waste, net zero and packaging. She also runs the monthly Sunday Lunch Club, where apetito offers a free three-course lunch to older local residents.

The evening was also a celebration of CEO and Chair of UK and North America, Paul Freeston, who will be leaving the company at the end of the year after 25 years of leading apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods UK.

Paul was honoured by Wolfgang, Robert and Christoph Düesterberg, the family owners of the apetito Group with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Wolfgang and Robert led an emotional and special tribute explaining how Paul’s vision, commitment and dedication to the company have been essential to its success.

Speaking of the awards, Paul Freeston said:

“The whole evening was a very special opportunity to celebrate the commitment and dedication of the staff at apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods.

“It was also an honour to be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. For 25 years, it has been a real privilege to lead this organisation.

“At apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods the phrase making a real difference is not just a slogan but a way of working that everyone embraces and is pivotal to the business’s success and direction. The values it represents were truly showcased by each and every one of the shortlisted entries and winners.”

Throughout the night, the company raffle raised more than £7,000 for its corporate charity partner, Alzheimer's Support, with Grant Newton Head of Day Care Services at Alzheimer's Support in attendance to draw tickets for the lucky winners

The winners were:

Rising Star – Lottie Percy, Sustainability Executive

Project of the Year – The NHS Emergency Response Project Team

Creating Competitive Advantage – The Education Team

Passion for Service – Paul Drye, Client Development Manager – Care Homes

Wiltshire Farm Foods Depot of the Year – WFF Coleraine

Ethical and Sustainable – The WFF Electric Vehicle Roll Out Team

Team of the Year – The BRCGS Audit Team

Unsung Hero – Dave Ozanne, Warehouse Operative and Sarah Richards, Senior Project Manager

Lifetime Achievement Award – Paul Freeston, CEO and Chair of UK and North America


For further information please contact:

01225 962592