Food and Drink Wales Industry Board: update from Andy Richardson (October 2025)
An update from board member Andy Richardson.
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Many of you will be aware that I chaired the Food and Drink Board for eight years until January 2024. I remain on the board because I am committed to supporting its success as a vital conduit between the Welsh food and drink industry and government.
As chair, I oversaw the board during:
- Brexit
- Covid, and
- early parts of the Ukraine crisis which sadly continues to this day
It taught me that more resilient businesses emerge stronger from these crises!
I also saw that the real power of collaboration within the industry and with government. This is something that many businesses have embraced. And they have created:
- stronger supply chains
- less volatile businesses, and
- real “win-win” business relationships
Since leaving Volac as corporate affairs director in 2023, I now undertake a few roles in the industry. Roles that I have a passion for because I am working:
- with people who inspire me, and
- on projects that can make a difference
I am currently chair of a chef prepared ready meal company called Frive, based in London. It is an amazing business producing “ready to reheat” healthy ready meals. These meals are free of additives and ultra processed foods. Something I am passionate about.
I am also a partner in a supply chain consultancy called European Food and Farming Partnership. We specialise in mentoring business leaders of all size companies and experience. And in solving supply chain challenges to create resilient, sustainable, and profitable businesses.
One of my roles involves working with a charity. It provides funding to turn academic and creative thinking into innovative products and services. This involves working with individuals who have amazing ideas; We guide them through the early innovation process and through to incorporation.
Further back in my career, I worked for dairy nutrition business Volac. Many of you will know it, as its main factories are based in Wales. It was a highly innovative business, founded by Dick Lawes. He found a way to add value to whey as a by-product of the cheese making process as it was in the 1970s. It is now a highly valuable commodity.
Before that, I worked for an animal feed company. We advised farmers on ruminant nutrition. Indeed, early in my career I even milked cows for a year. So feel free to ask me any questions about my experience of practical dairy farming!!
I love working in this industry and am inspired by the people I know from the past and from the new people I meet every day.
Food and drink is the most important industry in the world. I continue to do what I can to help to secure its rightful place as a leading industry in our economy!