SME Services

FDF has a large number of SME members – in fact 40% of our membership falls into the small to medium sized company bracket and we have developed a range of services that reflect the differing needs of smaller food companies.


Jonathan Bye - CEO, Seabrook Crisps
As your SME representative on FDF's Executive Committee, I will be working closely with FDF to focus specifically on services that are tailored and relevant to all SMEs.

I hope you find this site informative and are taking full advantage of your membership. I personally find the Sales Directors' Forum (formerly the GTLC) meetings of great value as it is the best way for any SME to meet and discuss “the trade” with the senior board members from major retailers.

If there are any other topics you would like to be included on our section or initiatives you think we should be taking, please do let us know!


Serving our small to medium sized members

Our aim is to make a real difference for SME members by providing you with a voice on the key issues that matter. We have successfully lobbied for government an Ombudsman for the grocery trade to protect the interests of smaller food manufacturers.

Our SME Services

FDF understands that smaller companies do not necessarily have the resources to hand to keep up to speed with industry developments or the technical or regulatory resources required to ensure a competitive and level playing field.

We have developed a range of exclusive services specifically to meet the needs of smaller members:

  • Technical and scientific advice from our team of highly qualified experts with a wealth of industry insight, intelligence, experience and expertise.
  • Regulatory and legislative support, advice and a proactive programme of influence and lobbying.
  • The opportunity to take part in any one of our 40 committees and groups covering all the key business critical issues of the day. By doing so, you will be able to engage with your peers from across industry and will be involved in developing policies, formulating industry response to the latest legislative pressure as well as gaining exclusive insights into key topics of concern for the industry.
  • Opportunities to meet customers in the retail and food service sectors through our Sales Directors' Forum, SFDF Supplier Forum and Out of Home Group'.
  • Crisis management support including dedicated crisis teams, urgent alerts and communications support.
  • Information on all the main issues of interest to SME members via our regular Executive Briefings, The Week Ahead, Public Affairs Update, FDF Update and Employment & Skills newsletter.
  • Access to a comprehensive archive of 20,000 business publications and documents in our website document archives.
  • Unprecedented networking opportunities with peers across the industry through attendance at workshops, seminars and events such as FDF annual Parliamentary Reception.
  • Use of central London meeting room space at the fraction of the commercial cost.

FDF is a powerful and unified voice for the industry with government and regulators at the highest level across the UK and Europe. We act on behalf of SME members on the business critical issues of the day – ensuring you can operate in a proportionate regulatory and administrative environment.

As an existing member to take advantage of these SME services simply login to our members' only area. If you are not currently an FDF member please contact Chris Warner email: [email protected] or +44 (0) 20 7420 7208 about how to become an FDF member.

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Hotline for SME companies

The FDF are pleased to announce a free advice line to help small and medium-sized food and drink businesses. The hotline is available to any UK-based food and drink manufacturer regardless of whether or not you are a member of FDF.

The hotline can be contacted on 020 7420 7110 and [email protected].

For more information please visit our SME hotline page.

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Last reviewed: 27 May 2014