Amy and Sarah start by clearing up one of the industry’s most common misconceptions: what IGD actually does. Far from being “just another acronym,” IGD operates as an independent charity, reinvesting profits into insight, capability building and talent development to support the long-term health of the food system.

The conversation moves into the realities of driving change at scale — from balancing commercial competition with genuine collaboration, to navigating regulation, competition law and political complexity. Sarah shares how IGD creates spaces where conversations happen that simply wouldn’t elsewhere, helping align retailers, manufacturers and suppliers around shared challenges.

They also explore the Food Strategy Advisory Board and the “Good Food Cycle,” breaking down what these initiatives mean in practice for people at the coalface — not just policymakers. Topics include food inflation, sustainability, skills shortages, recruitment challenges, and the pressure many leaders feel trying to do the right thing in a stretched system.

Throughout, Amy and Sarah keep it practical: how to stay informed without drowning in data, why independence and balance matter when interpreting insight, and how leaders can protect their energy while staying engaged in an industry that never stands still.

Timestamps

00:00:12
Introduction and welcome, with an overview of IGD’s leadership and purpose.

00:02:05
Personal background, career journey, and the influences that shaped it.

00:04:56
What IGD is, what it stands for, and its role as a strategic, independent institute.

00:06:05
A look at IGD’s work across insights, training, forums, and talent development.

00:08:13
How IGD’s influence has evolved, bringing collaboration across the food system.

00:11:19
Why balance, independence, and challenging unconscious bias matter in industry data.

00:14:42
Bridging the gap between government and industry through strategic advisory work.

00:17:49
The Good Food Cycle, policy updates, and why food strategy must be iterative.

00:23:12
Staying informed and proactive through webinars and industry updates.

00:24:10
What’s next: upcoming initiatives, programmes, and events.

00:27:07
Staying inspired, leading change, and protecting your energy in food leadership.

00:29:38
Final reflections, IGD’s open-door approach, and how to get involved.

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Connect with Amy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywilkinsoncoach/

Connect with Sarah here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbradburyigd/

Useful Links and Resources:

Episode about the “Mmmake Your Mark” campaign: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/podcast/the-mmmake-your-mark-initiative-inspiring-careers-in-food-and-drink/

Join our FREE network for women in food and retail at https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/fearless-women-connect/ Website

Work with Amy on leadership, culture & team development: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

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