FWD at the double after winning two industry awards

FWD’s work on behalf of the wholesale sector over the past 18 months has been recognised by two major awards.

The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) chose FWD and its public affairs team at DGA Interel as winners of the Trade Body Campaign of the Year at its Public Affairs awards for its work ensuring food supply to hospitals, care homes and schools during COVID-19.

The “hard-hitting and tenacious” campaign included encouraging Defra to co-ordinate monthly surveys to monitor the sector and targeting parliamentarians with a significant wholesale presence in their constituency. 200 Parliamentary Questions and 150 letters from MPs challenged the government’s lack for support for wholesale.

FWD had high level weekly meetings with the Defra Secretary, George Eustice and Chief Executive James Bielby was invited twice to give evidence to the EFRA’s inquiry into the food supply chain.

FWD secured 350 spots on prime-time TV and radio including BBC Breakfast, ITV and Sky News. National newspapers such as the Times, BBC, Guardian, Telegraph and the Daily Mail covered our story, as did local press and The Grocer magazine.

The team also received wholesalers’ recognition of FWD’s at the Gold Medal Awards. Presenting them with The Council of Members Special Award, special award, FWD Chairman Coral Rose said: “The political pressure created by FWD led to the unlocking of millions of pounds for the wholesale sector, a major lifeline for some, and without their tenacity and perseverance our sector would have been left behind.

“I want to especially pay tribute to our leader, James Bielby, who took on huge personal tasks and responsibilities to ensure the FWD was listened to. His commitment during this period has been outstanding.”

Awards coronavirus covid-19 FWD FWD Gold Medals James Bielby