In the UK, the grocery industry employs over 4 million people, encompassing all manner of positions across agriculture and manufacturing through to retail. At bpesearch, we also have a rich history in the FMCG sector, partnering with leading manufacturers, brand owners & retailers, successfully placing senior leaders at the likes of Premier Foods, COOP, Hovis, and Britvic.
Given our extensive history within the sector and our desire to authentically support the industries we operate in, we are very proud to announce that bpesearch has joined forces with GroceryAid as their 100th partner of their “D&I in Grocery” Programme.
Who is GroceryAid?
GroceryAid is the highly respected charitable organisation that has been providing emotional, practical and financial support to grocery colleagues for nearly 200 years.
GroceryAid provides crucial support and assistance to those within the industry, addressing financial, practical and emotional needs.The organisation provides help to its community via three main strands: financial, emotional and practical. Examples include those such as health and wellbeing, personal issues, welfare benefits, career guidance, housing, and legal challenges. In fact, in its latest impact report, GroceryAid stated that in 2023, it provided more than 40,000 incidents of support to colleagues, a 44% increase compared to the previous 12 months. It also provided more than £3 million in financial grants, an 11% increase on the year before.
When it comes to emotional support, GroceryAid’s free and confidential helpline took more than 10,000 calls and delivered 1,282 Relate counselling sessions.
These figures highlight the extent of support those that work in the industry benefit from and further illustrate just how important GroceryAid is to those that it serves. bpesearch is proud to join forces with an organisation with genuine purpose that truly supports the industry and those within it.
bpesearch’s role
GroceryAid provides a 12-month programme combining experience, inspiration and practical solutions where along with other organisations we will work together as a community to create tangible progress regarding diversity and inclusivity within the grocery industry.
For over 20+ years, as well as an expanding international reach, bpesearch has worked with some of the UK’s most recognisable FMCG brands in placing talent who make an impact, drive positive change and go on to bigger and broader roles within organisations. As such, we’re committed to promoting diversity and we’ll work hard to improve the landscape for our colleagues, candidates and clients. Our partnership with GroceryAid aims to foster more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces, fully aligning with their mission.
In playing our part on the, we’re excited in having the opportunity to help accelerate and drive positive change within the sector.. Our deep-rooted relationships with many in the industry and passion for equality, make this collaboration a natural progression. Through this partnership, we hope to share insights and expertise, helping to influence and shape those learnings for a more progressive & representative landscape of talent and future leaders in the years to come.
Andy Young, Partner at bpesearch, shared his own thoughts regarding what this partnership means for bpesearch and the industry as a whole:
“Equality, diversity and inclusion are a cornerstone of the work we do at bpesearch and as a business with FMCG at the core of our DNA, we’re delighted to join the GroceryAid community as its newest partner. The work GroceryAid do to accelerate positive change in our industry is crucial and given our expertise as an executive search business, feel this is something where we can provide a valuable contribution
“This partnership allows us to contribute to a highly respected charity while accelerating our own impact directly and indirectly with our clients, established or new. By learning more, learning faster, and learning together, we can play a small but meaningful part in progressing the industry’s ED&I agenda.”
Young went on to say “Partnering with GroceryAid and its existing partners, many of whom we have worked closely with over the years, is a genuine privilege. We are excited about the collaboration,the opportunity to listen and learn from others, ultimately providing outcomes that positively impact the industry long into the future.”
