Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of sitting across the table from hundreds of leaders from the food manufacturing, fresh produce, agriculture, horticulture and garden centre industries.

Through more than 40 executive dinners and 25 podcast interviews, I’ve listened to some of the most passionate and forward-thinking individuals in these sectors talk openly about leadership, business growth, innovation and the challenges they face.

What started as a way to connect senior professionals has become one of the most valuable learning experiences of my career. When you bring great people together - under the Chatham House Rule and with a good meal in front of them - you hear the reality behind the headlines: the pressures, the progress, and the people that make these industries so inspiring.

Here are some of the biggest lessons I’ve taken away from those conversations.

1. Leaders crave community

No matter how senior someone becomes, leadership can be lonely. Many of the executives I meet say they rarely get the opportunity to speak openly with peers outside their own organisation.

These dinners and podcasts have become safe spaces where leaders can share experiences, test ideas and learn from each other. It’s a reminder that community and connection are not optional extras - they’re vital for personal and professional growth.

When leaders come together to listen and exchange ideas, they leave better equipped to inspire their own teams.

2. Change is the one constant

Across all the industries we support at MorePeople, one theme comes up time and again: the pace of change.

Technology, sustainability, labour challenges, shifting consumer expectations, and geopolitical uncertainty - everyone is adapting to a moving target.

The most successful leaders aren’t those who resist change, but those who embrace it with clarity and composure. The real challenge isn’t just identifying what needs to change; it’s bringing people along for the journey.

3. The best leaders are lifelong learners

The most impressive individuals I’ve met aren’t necessarily the most experienced or outspoken - they’re the most curious.

They ask questions, they listen carefully, and they’re genuinely interested in how others approach their challenges. That humility and curiosity are powerful traits. In sectors evolving as quickly as food and agriculture, staying curious is the only sustainable advantage.

4. Culture and people matter more than strategy

If there’s one message I’ve heard repeatedly, it’s that great culture outperforms great strategy.

You can have the best plan on paper, but without the right people, culture and leadership style, it won’t translate into success.

From boardrooms to farms, leaders tell me the same thing: recruitment, retention, and engagement are their biggest challenges - and also their biggest opportunities.

At MorePeople, we see that every day. The businesses that thrive are those that invest time and energy into building teams who share their purpose and values.

5. Our industries need to tell their story better

One of the most striking insights from these conversations is how underappreciated our sectors are.

Food, farming and horticulture are full of innovation, sustainability initiatives and cutting-edge technology - yet they’re often misunderstood or overlooked by the wider world.

We need to do a better job of telling our story: showing young people and career changers that these are industries full of opportunity, innovation, and meaning.

But we need to do more. Knowing but not doing is the same as not knowing.

Taking students from recognised industry universities is a great start — but these numbers aren’t huge, and those individuals are already “in.” We need to get our stories out to a wider audience — into schools, colleges, and even into urban communities — to spark curiosity and attract new talent.

If we want to future-proof our industries, we have to grow the talent pool, not just recycle it. That means being proactive, visible and proud of what we do — because these really are epic industries with a powerful story to tell.

And I don’t just want to talk about it - I intend to do something about it. Over the coming months, I’ll be working on ways to raise the profile of our industries, inspire new entrants, and build stronger links between education and employment.

If you’re passionate about this challenge - whether you want to learn more, collaborate, or help bring these ideas to life — I’d love to hear from you.
Watch this space.

Looking Ahead

After five years of conversations, one thing is clear: our industries are full of remarkable people who care deeply about what they do.

The challenges are complex, but the passion, innovation and resilience I’ve seen are extraordinary. I’ll continue to listen, learn and share insights from these conversations — whether around a dinner table, behind a microphone, or in everyday discussions with clients and candidates.

If you’ve got a story worth sharing from the world of food, fresh produce, agriculture, horticulture or rural affairs, I’d love to hear it.