Lee Attwood

Founder of FABRIC-FOOD a creative food and drink consultancy supporting the food and drink industry across all sectors. www.fabric-food.com. Combining my vast knowledge, experience, and love for the food and drink industry I support food and drink business with a range of creative new product development services that will identify, develop and strengthen the unique FABRIC of their business. To inspire and support the services I offer through FABRIC-FOOD consist of the following... Product, brand and category pipelines. Bespoke new product development. Fabrication health checks. Inspiration & Ideation. Startup support from idea to launch. Menu development. Short term Interim support. For more information concerning how I can support your business or if you have any current or future development needs then please contact me on [email protected], alternatively direct message me.

My role at Hain Daniels was to lead the NPD Innovation agenda for the International business and its customers across its branded portfolio, retail and foodservice divisions. As part of the Senior Management Team and the champion for innovation, the role covered the whole UK business across a number of categories consisting of chilled soup, chilled ready meals, vegetarian and meat substitute, freshly prepared fruit, drinks & smoothies, ambient sweet spreads, dairy substitute, and hot & cold desserts. Key aspects of delivering this were: Generation of development and innovation pipelines liaising with key business functions to aid the implementation across all categories and key brands such as New Covent Garden Soup Co, Linda McCartney Foods, Hartley's Sweet Spreads. Identification and implementation of new business and future growth opportunities covering new retail and foodservice customers, licensing agreements or supporting start-up brands. All within current manufacturing capabilities, third-party production or suggested business acquisition. Leading group presentations and innovation sessions to key customers across both retail and foodservice showcasing Hain Daniels manufacturing capabilities aiding the customer's long-term development pipeline and influencing their food & drink offer. Managing critical paths, budgets & people to deliver first to market concepts with the relevant n.p.d & marketing departments. Developing new brands from scratch starting from initial idea through to brand launch with a number of notable current new to market launches including a chilled rice pudding brand named Naughty But Rice, A fresh cold brew coffee range under K.W|BRU along with the chilled Mary Berry hot eat desserts range.

My role in the innovation function as Group Development Chef held the responsibility for the long-term and strategic development for the entire Hain Daniels portfolio in both a theoretical and practical capacity. Covering both branded and own label products for the major multiples, food service and export customers in chilled, frozen and ambient. As a senior influential member of a multifunctional business and the champion for all things culinary, the role was very diverse and held a large amount of responsibly. Key aspects of delivering this were; Innovation & creative ideation sessions to aid the brands and customers long term development. Leading presentations to senior management and key customers. Practical blue sky concept development to support the branded portfolio and key customer innovation agenda. Support and advice for site development teams, alongside the responsibility for the management of Development Chefs across the total business. Publication of trend reports internally and external customers, along with bespoke trend sessions to customers and key brands. Organising and implementing food safaris to support anticipated product development briefs for customers or branded opportunities for the business. Supporting the "personal development program" available to the development department and wider functions within the business.