Dominic Goudie, Policy Manager (Exports, Trade & Supply Chain) at the Food and Drink Federation - the voice of the UK's largest manufacturing sector, has been shortlisted in the Young Association Executive of the Year category at the national Associations Awards.The winners will be announced at a celebratory dinner tonight at Hilton London Wembley.
Goudie was nominated by colleagues and FDF members for his coordination of the organisation's activity around the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union. Finalists have been selected following a rigorous judging process by a prestigious panel consisting of influential association leaders, all focused on the continuous improvement of associations whether UK, International or European.
The challenges and opportunities posed by 'Brexit' are many for the UK's 6,500+ food and drink manufacturers and its 400,000 strong workforce. For this reason, the debate around the UK's role in the EU has been a key area of focus for FDF, swiftly rising up the agenda with the vote to leave. With no blueprint or precedent for handling an issue as big as 'Brexit', Goudie has been front and centre in delivering FDF's activity, advising on implications for trade, access to staff and regulatory compliance.
Goudie has organised two cross-industry roundtables on the future UK-EU relationship. Over 35 trade associations have attended the events, the latest of which was held in partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Food Standards Agency, the Department for Exiting the European Union and the Department for International Trade. This was followed by a UK-Ireland summit to develop a common position on critical impacts for trade and employment.
These efforts have helped position FDF as the go-to food industry body to support Government's future planning on Brexit negotiations.
FDF Director General Ian Wright CBE, stated, 'Dominic Goudie has an outstanding future. His combination of sharp intelligence, expert knowledge and easy style make him an executive of huge potential. His work on the implications of Brexit has given FDF a significant lead in industry thinking and has recorded wide appreciation from members and external stakeholders alike.'
FDF member Richard Benson, Managing Director, F R Benson & Partners Ltd, said, 'Dominic has kept us up to date with economic developments both in the UK and at Brussels and I have found his assessments accurate and concise.
'Since the referendum Dominic has been updating members with the latest news and has also been coordinating the FDF response to the vote to leave, by liaising with the membership and keeping us all informed of FDF actions. This has been very informative as well as helping us to develop our own reaction to a situation that has developed rapidly over the Summer.'
FDF member Gerald Mason, Senior Vice President, Tate & Lyle Sugars, added, 'Dominic did a fantastic job pulling together FDF members views on Brexit and recommending a course of common action. This was a tough job because, as we all know, Brexit is a controversial topic and members had strong and different views. Dominic's diplomacy and technical competence were much needed.'