Apetito’s Paul Freeston named FDF president

Paul Freeston, chair, and chief executive of prepared meals provider Apetito UK & North America has been elected Food and Drink Federation (FDF) president for 2022.

Freeston said he was honoured to take on the position from Coca Cola Great Britain and Ireland general manager Jon Woods.

He added: “Having served on the board of the FDF for fifteen years, been treasurer and deputy president for the last two years, I know how valuable this membership is to a business and am very aware that as the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, the food industry has a vital role to play in both employment and the economic success of the UK economy."

Freeston paid tribute to ourgoing president Woods, adding: “Jon has made an enormous contribution through an exciting, but difficult two years for the food and drink industry which has faced intense pressure while navigating Brexit, Covid-19 and the ongoing supply chain challenges. The FDF has expanded its membership greatly in the last few years, with now almost 1000 members across every category of food and drink."

Freeston is a founder member of the Malnutrition Taskforce and a former president of the British Frozen Food Federation.