The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has announced the contenders for its 2026 Industry Awards, highlighting a diverse range of the UK’s most determined manufacturers, innovative thinkers, and emerging leaders within the food and beverage space.
With over half a million individuals employed in this sector and a contribution of £42 billion to the UK’s economy, the shortlisted nominees provide a glimpse into the companies and professionals that are pioneering the future of food and drink production.
The 2026 list signifies a dynamic industry: apprentices are fast-tracking their careers, brands are striving for healthier options, manufacturers are enhancing sustainability practices, and exporters are expanding internationally. The awards serve as a clear indicator of the direction in which UK food and drink manufacturing is headed and who the key players are in this journey.
Aiming to honor excellence throughout the entire value chain, the FDF Awards acknowledge achievements in various categories, including apprenticeship excellence, product innovation, sustainability leadership, export achievements, manufacturing advancements, and marketing initiatives.
This year’s nominees highlight organizations that are committed to healthier reformulation, champion low-carbon production, and successfully establish a global footprint, reflecting the ongoing evolution of industry priorities.
According to the FDF’s published shortlist, some of the distinguished finalists are:
- Nestlé UK & Ireland — recognized for their innovation and workforce development efforts.
- Premier Foods — acknowledged for product innovation and healthier reformulation.
- Britvic — noted for their sustainability endeavors and innovations in packaging.
- ABP Food Group — highlighted for operational excellence and environmental initiatives.
- Greencore — recognized for their leadership in supply chain management and manufacturing innovation.
- Moy Park — shortlisted for their commitment to people development and community impact.
- Princes Group — honored for their focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing practices.
- Arla Foods — acclaimed for advancements in dairy innovation and carbon reduction initiatives.
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners — recognized for their manufacturing excellence and circularity initiatives.
- KP Snacks — acknowledged for their innovations in healthier snacking and community engagement efforts.
These finalists exemplify a synergistic mix of global reach and local manufacturing prowess, each playing a vital role in the sector’s resilience and future trajectory.
The winners will be revealed on September 17, 2026, at The Troxy, a renowned Grade II listed venue in London. The event will be hosted by Ravneet Gill, a well-known cookbook author and star of shows like Junior Bake Off and 5 Star Kitchen, adding a modern culinary flair to the occasion.
Sponsored by KPMG, the ceremony aims to unite leaders from across the food and beverage industry for an evening filled with celebration, networking, and recognition. Early-bird tickets are currently available, offering significant savings per table.
Nick Pink, chief operating officer at the FDF, underscored the importance of the shortlist: “From hundreds of submissions, making the shortlist is no mean feat. The Awards celebrate all the fantastic businesses and individuals shaping the future of food and drink manufacturing.”
Linda Ellett, head of consumer, retail, and leisure at KPMG UK, remarked: “KPMG is proud to celebrate the vital, innovative, and sustainable work of the UK’s food and drink sector.”
The shortlist provides valuable insights into the themes defining UK food and drink manufacturing in 2026: the acceleration of healthier product development; more quantifiable and commercially integrated sustainability commitments; a strategic emphasis on talent development; continued export growth as a resilience driver; and a growing reliance on digital, data-driven, and efficiency-focused manufacturing innovations.