It's Mental Health Awareness Week and therefore a great time to remind yourself of the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’. Modelled by the New Economics Foundation, these are a set of pillars which are key to improving our mental health, and all are small but effective ways to support your mental health on a daily basis.1. ConnectThe past year has prevented us from seeing our friends, family and colleagues as much as we would like to so, as restrictions ease, think about who you may have lost touch with and make the effort to re-connect. A five minute conversation can be all it takes to make someone's day. If you're working remotely, why not check in with one of your colleagues who you haven't spoken to for a while? It's also important to build new connections and expand your circle of contacts, whether at work or in your local community. 2. Be ActiveIt's a fact that exercise releases hormones that make you feel good and engaging in regular physical activity is known to lower rates of depression and anxiety across all groups. You don't have to run a marathon or swim the channel, being active can be as simple as getting out for a walk more often or spending time pottering in the garden. Find something that suits you and try to make it part of your routine. Do you work near a park? Grab a colleague and get out for a short walk at lunchtime. 3. Take NoticePre-Covid, many of us were too busy to appreciate the things around us. Being 'mindful' has been shown to be associated with a positive mental state, so take time to look at your surroundings, notice the simple pleasures in life and be in the moment. This could be stopping to notice trees as they blossom, savouring a coffee date with a friend or finding a spot to catch the last of the day's sun. 4. Keep LearningNever stop learning. In adult life, learning seems so much more fulfilling than your memory of school days, so look out for opportunities to try something different, sign up for a course that you've always wanted to do or pick up an inspirational business book. The challenge and enjoyment of learning new things will help support your mental health. 5. GiveThere is evidence that 'giving back' or helping others promotes wellbeing, whatever your age. Whether this is giving up your time to help someone, volunteering in your local community or sending someone a gift to say 'hello' or 'thank you', it can be incredibly rewarding to look outwards. Is one of your colleagues caught up in back to back meetings? Pick them up a sandwich while you're on your lunch break to ensure they don't miss out.Visit mentalhealth-uk.org/mhaw for more information and tips for incorporating these into your routine.

​As part of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) Spring Conference 2021, we sponsored a panel session on Continuing Professional Development – ‘Smart CPD: keeping up to date in a changing world’. Four panelists took part in a lively discussion that encouraged listeners to never stop learning and to embrace CPD as something to enjoy and not just a box to tick. The panelists were: Helen Taylor, Chair of IFST’s professional development group Bertrand Emond, Campden BRI Vicky Collett, Pepsi Lipton Tanya Vina, The Science Council 5 top tips emerged from the session: 1.) CPD is not just about technical skills. Soft skills are of equal importance, and the pandemic has also raised the importance of developing skills in areas such as mental health awareness and mindfulness. 2.) It’s not just about formal training with a certificate at the end of it. Reading blogs and white papers, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, taking part in self-led training, are also valid and valuable CPD activities. As long as you can reflect on what you have learnt and demonstrate how you have applied it in your role. 3.) We’re all busy and this can push CPD down the list of priorities. If this sounds familiar then perhaps you need a change of mindset. CPD doesn’t have to be time consuming - be realistic about what you want to achieve, be creative and find activities that are going to work for you, and be strategic about what you say yes and no to. 4.) If you’re a student or new to the world of work, a good place to start with your CPD journey is to look for good role models or mentors, whether within your organisation or the wider industry. Explore career pathways, research where your gaps are and identify ways to start bridging them. 5.) Link your Personal Development Plan (PDP) or annual review to your CPD plan. Although these are two very different things - your PDP focuses on your current role and your CPD is the bigger picture - they will be most effective if looked at together. Your CPD log is intended to stay with you throughout your career, so it’s important to keep it up to date… which is an impressive skill in itself and one that will make you stand out at interviews! [More details of the IFST’s CPD system]

​2021 follows a very unusual year in the world of recruitment, as well as in the world generally. With reports of the economic impact of Covid, furlough schemes and redundancies, there's a misconception that there's a wealth of talent out there looking for jobs right now. We speak to candidates all day every day and, in the sectors we recruit for, it is hard to attract the best people. So, what is the current candidate situation? The recruitment market is incredibly competitive and the fight for top talent is really on. We have seen some very positive results in Q4 2020 and in Q1 2021, but companies (and recruiters!) are having to work harder than ever to source the best candidates. Confidence is returning across candidate pools, but job security, counter offers and proactive recruitment processes are paramount. Perhaps now is the time to consider alternative recruitment solutions? If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got. What can you do to attract the best talent in 2021?Think about the salary and benefits package you're offering - is it still right for today's needs?Be mindful that interviews are a two-way process and candidates will be interviewing you more than ever.Speed up your recruitment processes where you can e.g. use video for first stage interviews.Try using an Executive Search solution rather than working with recruiters on a contingent basis.Why Choose Executive Search? Read our brochure to find out more...

​It's MorePeople's 21st birthday! The excitement of our 20th birthday was rather overshadowed last year, but we're not going to miss out on celebrating turning 21! 🥳🥳🥳Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing some memories from the early days and reminiscing about how MorePeople has evolved from when Guy Moreton and Peter Hunt joined forces in 2000 to the successful team of 18 that we are today.But first, flip through below as we look back at what the MorePeople team were doing 21 years ago...21st Birthday LinkedIn by Claire Smith​​

​This year’sInstitute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) Spring Conference is addressing the topic of finding smarter ways to produce food and deliver solutions more efficiently, sustainably, healthily and with less risk. Using a professional online conferencing platform, a wide range of sessions will be delivered between 26th April and 7th May, offering something for everyone who is involved in food, science and technology. MorePeople are delighted to be supporting the Conference and sponsoring the panel session on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) – ‘Smart CPD: a panel discussion on keeping up to date in a changing world’ – which takes place on 4th May from 2-3pm. Guy Moreton, MorePeople’s CEO, said: “Continuous learning and keeping your skills updated is more important than ever to succeed in today’s world. As a business, one of our core values is ‘Learning’ and striving to continuously improve what we do, and many of our clients look for the same commitment when selecting candidates.” “It’s great to see that the IFST have created an innovative way of delivering the Spring conference this year. We are always keen to be involved in IFST events as they offer valuable content and great networking opportunities with both food businesses and the next generation of talent.”Jon Poole, Chief Executive of the IFST, said: “MorePeople have been long-term supporters of IFST and we are delighted that they have chosen to support this panel discussion relating to Continuing Professional Development – a critical topic for food professionals.”To find out more about the Conference, browse the full programme and book your place, visit: https://www.ifst.org/events/ifst-spring-conference-2021-sc21

​Today marks one year since we started on this lockdown journey, and the MorePeople team will be taking part in the minute’s silence at midday today to remember everyone who has tragically lost their lives to Covid. Looking back, none of us predicted the full extent of the challenges the pandemic would bring, but we’re keeping focused on brighter times ahead. As a team, we’ve also been reflecting on the effects that the last 12 months have had on our working lives, what we’ve learnt and what has had the biggest impact… ------------------------------“It’s been a challenging year for most - work wise, candidates and clients have adjusted well to first stage video interviews and adapted to ‘Covid friendly’ on site interviews, which has kept processes running smoothly. Personally, after being furloughed for a period of time, I now appreciate the importance of getting out with the dog and getting fresh air. Also enjoying learning Spanish on Duolingo to keep me busy!”Sarah Want------------------------------“I would say that remote working has been the best thing that has come from Covid. It has given me the perfect work-life balance that I’ve always looked for in a job. You really can work from anywhere and being able to go out for a walk or do a workout over lunchtime, and having no travel time, has massively helped me feel less stressed and enjoy work a lot more. I also think it’s given businesses an opportunity to be more forward thinking and make changes that possibly would have never happened without the pandemic.” Lycia Pitcher ------------------------------“This last year has been a year of being proud to work in a fairly resilient sector, which has risen to meet the challenges that Covid has brought, and a year of being grateful for lots of the small things in life that we previously took for granted – a strong support network foremost amongst them.” Andrew Fitzmaurice ------------------------------“It has made me realise how important it is to stay in contact with your work colleagues. When I was furloughed for 7 months last year, I felt a little isolated at times, but once you got on the phone and spoke to a work colleague – it made my day!! It really made a difference and made me feel positive and that there was light at the end of the tunnel! On a more personal level, my life saver has been going out for daily walks and being out in the fresh air (even if it was pouring with rain), taking in how great nature and wildlife is!!” Jo Purvis ------------------------------“I’ve realised just how much I enjoy and need work in my life! What work offers you, beyond just an income, is a real sense of purpose, enabling your brain to work on ideas and challenges away from your home life of being a parent, husband etc. and a distraction from what is going on in the world. Your workplace offers you an environment, place to attend every day and physically get you away from the other part of your life. Your work colleagues offer you camaraderie, an understanding of what you do for a living and quite often offer you a different take on things. I will never take work for granted again or underestimate just how much of my life it fulfils.” Richard Hanwell ------------------------------“I’ve been amazed at how brilliant (most) people across the UK and the wider world have adapted during the pandemic, particularly the way that people in general have gone out of their way to help those in need and support each other. I’m also very proud of our team, as well as our clients and candidates across our sectors, who have all rallied well and continued to work during these unprecedented times.” Guy Moreton ------------------------------“Looking back over the last 12 months, it feels on one hand to have gone very quick, but also very slow. I am certainly very grateful to have been able to carry on working through the pandemic and to be able to help people find a new role after they have been made redundant due to Covid.” Luan Harrison ------------------------------“At the start of lockdown, I worked from home and was then furloughed by my old company before deciding to join MorePeople. To have been able to join a company that has continued to grow, and enabled me to come into a covid secure office to work alongside some of my colleagues, has been a massive boost. I never thought I would miss the daily commute, however Covid has made me appreciate how lucky I am to have such stable employment.” Tom Merriman ------------------------------“Working from home isn’t for everyone! I very quickly missed the comradery of being with my colleagues, in particular during a very challenging time. Having the chance to spend more time with my family has been great. Whether it was having breakfast and dinner with them every day or going for a lunchtime walk. Finally, teachers should have their salaries doubled immediately… with a clause that says they will never ever not teach our children ever again, pandemic or no pandemic!” Morten Andresen ------------------------------“The last 12 months have been hard on all of us and I think it has made us all much more aware of our own mental health, and the mental health of those around us. If there is something positive to come out of the pandemic, maybe helping bring mental health and mental health awareness to the fore is it?” Tom Edmondson-Matthews ------------------------------“It’s been a hell of a year for me… furloughed from my previous job for the majority, my first child born in the middle, my wife stuck in hospital alone for 8 days. To say it’s been the hardest 12 months of my life would be a massive understatement, it has pushed me mentally and physically and I am still fighting those battles today. However, I can see the endgame, I have a new job in a company that is going places and believes in their staff, my son is growing up into a funny, clever little boy and I will never take an invite to any plans, of any sort, for granted again.” Aidan Finn ------------------------------“I’ve always been an advocate for self-care, but the last 12 months have made looking after yourself more important than ever. If you’re going to be able to offer support to those who rely on you, whether it’s your work colleagues, your kids going through home schooling or people in your support bubble, you need to put yourself first. Make time to do the things you love that make you happy and others will benefit too.” Claire Smith ------------------------------Even in a relatively small team, everyone's experiences are different, but all equally deserve to be shared. What are you reflecting on today?

​Today is World Book Day and, like many of the team at MorePeople, you may have spent more time reading recently thanks to lockdown 1, 2, 3… or all three! Here are 10 books that have inspired our team, both personally and professionally: Guy – How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie: “I’ve read this numerous times and his 12 golden rules have become my bible for how to live and be a great person, as well as a leader and manager. I would be a grumpy old b****** without it!” Andrew – The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: “Covey’s 7 Habits is almost as old as I am but the principles and wisdom remain as relevant now as they did in the 80’s when he wrote it. The concepts are simple and very easily implemented into daily life – work or otherwise. I’m yet to reach Covey nirvana and make all the habits part of my routine but there’s more implemented than from any other book I reckon.” Sarah – S.U.M.O (Shut Up, Move On): The Straight-Talking guide to Succeeding in Life by Paul McGee: “It’s a great motivational book that is easy to read and doesn’t contain ‘jargon’ that you won’t understand. It’s helped me to explore emotions and try out new ways to tackle situations, both at work and in my personal life. Very interesting and worth a read!” Tom – Our Iceberg is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions by John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber: “This book is all about change management and how to bring a high performing team through changes. Change for some people is tough to go through and anything that can help people to successfully navigate it has got to help – especially given all the changes the world has been going through in the past 12 months.” Tom – Good to Great: Why some companies make the leap… and others don’t by Jim Collins: “We based our internal conference around some of the concepts in this book last year. It includes lots of insight into how the best businesses do things differently.” Morten - The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do, and How to Change by Charles Duhigg: “It’s rare to find a motivational / business book that you don’t want to put down, but this was one for me. Lots of great examples of how habits drive our lives, both personally and professionally, and some great advice on how to alter them!” Lawrence – Mindset: Changing the way you think to fulfil your potential by Carol Dweck: “Changing your mind-set can give you a whole new outlook on life and challenges that are thrown your way, either in the workplace or in life. If you change your outlook, it can be a real tool to moving forward.” Lawrence – The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle: “I also really rate this one. If you are business looking at your staff retention, or building a successful business, it is a great read. Businesses can sometimes be narrow minded in their hiring and what is important, but this actually puts things in to perspective and shows what is important to become a successful business.” Rich – First Man In: Leading from the Front by Ant Middleton: “Ant’s first book is refreshingly honest and raw, reiterating the need to be a leader, even without the title, and stressing the importance of the supporting role within leadership.” Claire – The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Programme for Confidence, Success and Happiness by Prof Steve Peters: “This book really helped me to understand how the mind works and the constant battle between thinking emotionally and logically. We all have a ‘chimp’ inside our brains and it’s up to us to embrace it and learn to manage it. Steve Peters is also a brilliant masters athlete and his techniques have definitely helped to calm my pre-race nerves!” What books would you recommend?

The March 'Women in Food & Farming' virtual event highlighted just how much expertise was 'in the room' as discussions centred on complex issues surrounding Brexit, Covid and Carbon, and the urgent challenges they have created for the future of farming and food. Emily Norton, Director and Head of Rural Research at Savills, began the event with an update on key rural topics and policies. Real-life examples shared by members revealed that none of the challenges facing the industry today are new, but that now really is the time to do something about them. 'Real disruption is coming' was the concluding message, and this will require new ways of thinking and a mindset of embracing change. This was the fifth virtual event to be hosted on the Beanstalk.Global platform and you can catch up on all previous events below:November 2020: Anna Harris - Motherhood and Ambition in the UK Grocery IndustryDecember 2020: Sharon Kennett - Speaking in Public with ConfidenceJanuary 2021: Jane Craigie - Rural Youth ProjectFebruary 2021: Hilary Lees - Mental Fitness: How to build resilience to thrive in challenging timesWith International Women's Day coming up next week, why not join the group and get involved in future discussions? It's free to join and members support each other with mentorship and advice, helping to generate networks of contacts that might be useful to you, whatever stage you are at in your career.

​As 2020 was such an unprecedented year, we took the decision not to repeat our annual salary survey… but it will be back next year! The Fresh Produce Consortium, however, collect very detailed salary information from their members each year to help with benchmarking and, in the survey carried out late last year, they incorporated a series of new questions to get a picture of how Brexit and Covid-19 have affected the fruit, veg and cut flower industries. Brexit In amongst the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit has indeed happened, which will have added to the current challenges of fresh produce businesses. 7% of respondents have taken the decision to reduce UK production in 2021 due to the expected lack of availability of labour. To recruit sufficient seasonal workers for 2021:64% plan to advertise in the UK43% have introduced attraction and retention schemes32% plan to use more agencies25% to host recruitment events 18% will use the ‘Pick for Britain’ website. Only 1% of respondents had recruited seasonal workers under the SAWS Pilot scheme last year. Covid-19These questions focused on flexible working and what businesses were doing to support employees’ mental wellbeing. 86% of respondents said that office staff had worked from home throughout the pandemic. Once working patterns return to more of a pre-pandemic normality, 71% said that they would continue to allow employees to work from home, predicting that they would continue to work from home for almost half of the week (the average was 44% of the week). 100% had provided help with setting employees up to work from home and 83% had introduced additional measures to support the mental wellbeing of their staff during the pandemic. It will certainly be interesting to see how these results compare when we’re looking back on 2021! To find out more about the Fresh Produce Consortium, visit www.freshproduce.org.uk.