Bakkavor are the leading UK-provider of fresh prepared food (FPF) to all of the well-known UK grocer retailers as well as some of the world’s best-known international food brands.

 

Initially founded in Iceland, and quickly expanded into Scandinavia and having started their UK operation with just three employees in 1986, Bakkavor have grown to over 19,000 colleagues working across 46 sites in the UK, US and China, through a process of organic growth and strategic acquisition.

 

With a very clear global vision and strategy, Bakkavor have been working with Fieri since 2014 to develop their people and drive continued organisational growth and performance to ensure they remain and leverage their #1 leading position in the UK.

 

Working closely together, and with a deep understanding of Bakkavor’s objectives and challenges, in 2020, Fieri designed and began delivery of a Leadership Development Programme, kicked-off with a series of virtual masterclasses in Effective Leadership.

This is a major first for us, as we have never approached leadership development in this way before. The positive feedback has been overwhelming. I look forward to continuing our successful partnership.

 

Cathy Hough, Group Early Careers Manager, Bakkavor Group PLC

THE CHALLENGE

 

In 2021, focus shifted to Bakkavor’s Front Line Leaders, who were recognised as key to the successful implementation, roll-out and adoption of a new business mission and vision that would foster a cultural shift within the organisation and ultimately accelerate growth in high-potential markets and drive operational efficiencies.

Delivering on Bakkavor’s Group Strategies

 

Delivering Superior Performance Through Operational Excellence

 

Being a Trusted Partner for their Colleagues and Customers

  • Demonstrate Bakkavor’s recognition of their colleague’s valued contribution.
  • Improve morale.
  • Develop leadership knowledge, skills and behaviours.
  • Drive employee satisfaction.
  • Increase team cohesion.
  • Unlock operational efficiencies.

THE FIERI APPROACH

 

DISCOVER

 

Through Fieri’s embedded relationship with Bakkavor, we worked together on a detailed Needs Analysis, that enabled us to DISCOVER and define the business objectives and programme deliverables.

 

From our Discovery we DESIGNED a tailored, three-day Leadership Development Programme, positioned as a Phase 1 intervention, followed by a Phase 2 refresher session, that would ultimately expand to a further Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship opportunity open to all Front-Line Leaders.

 

DELIVERY commenced in Q3 2021, where we ran multiple courses in parallel, over an 8-month period, with a team of highly experienced and passionate course leaders, across several off-site locations throughout the UK.

DESIGN

 

6 Modules over 3 Days

  • LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS
  • VALUES-BASED LEADERSHIP
  • SUPPORTING TEAM PERFORMANCE
  • THRIVING UNDER PRESSURE
  • EFFECTIVE CONVERSATIONS
  • GETTING THINGS DONE

DELIVER

 

After 8 months of course delivery, we reached 89% of the of the Front-Line Leader cohort, with the remaining 10% re-scheduled to receive sessions when their schedules permit.

 

Bakkavor have seen a marked shift in engagement, mindset and performance from, not only the leaders who have attended the courses, but also within their teams and their co-workers.

 

This behavioural shift is directly and positively impacting operational performance and quality, and importantly, is improving employee satisfaction and retention.

PARTNER FOCUSED OUTCOMES

762

Learners

Over
57

COURSES

Across
22

SITES

94%

Rated the course content as EXCELLENT

97%

Rated the coaches as EXCELLENT

19%

Increase in feeling well TRAINED AS A LEADER

85%

RETENTION of performance increase after 3 months

TESTIMONIALS

  • I’ve worked at Bakkavor over 21 years and had internal and external training courses and this by a mile was THE BEST.

    Front Line Leader

  • The course was superb. Very engaging and has definitely CHANGED MY OUTLOOK, not just in my work career but the way I interact in my personal life.

    Front Line Leader

  • I would like to inform you that ‘name withheld’ was PROMOTED to the section manager position just yesterday. This promotion was entirely thanks to your course, as he showed big changes in his behaviour which made the SSM believe in him again.

    Site Leader

  • I have experienced a long and varied career and I will honestly say this has been the MOST ENJOYABLE TRAINING COURSE I have attended since transitioning into the commercial environment.

    Front Line Leader

  • We can see a MARKED DIFFERENCE in the way the attendees of the course are interacting with the business. They are shifting from a ‘I can’t do this’ to a ‘How can we do this?’ mentality.

    Site Leader

PARTNER FEEDBACK

“From all at Fieri, we are so very grateful for Bakkavor’s continued partnership, and are equally excited for how we will continue to support their group-wide leadership development programmes, across all sites and for all levels. We send a special thanks to Cathy, her team and all of our friends and colleagues at Bakkavor.”

 

Matt Johns, Managing Director, Fieri Leadership

“We have worked with Fieri for the last 7 years, as the leadership development skills that they deliver have been an intrinsic and incredibly popular part of our graduate programme.

 

In the last 2 years we have expanded our partnership, as Fieri have supported us with the creation, design and delivery of a dynamic, innovative leadership development programme for our front line leaders.

 

We have been a demanding customer; however, Fieri have responded with pace and humour, and have delivered an impactful programme to diverse cohorts of colleagues from different sectors, different sites, with different learning styles and differing academic back grounds.

 

The positive feedback has been overwhelming, with participants keen to get back to work to try out the new tools they have been given and to reflect on their own individual leadership styles.

 

It is a major first for us as we have never approached leadership development in this way before. Colleagues are now keen to know what’s next! I look forward to continuing our successful partnership.”

 

Cathy Hough, Group Early Careers Manager, Bakkavor Group PLC