Interpath has appointed food and drink industry voice and expert, Ian Wright CBE, as a Senior Adviser as the firm deepens its support for clients navigating critical events that shape businesses and investments in the sector.
Ian has held senior strategic positions at leading consumer-facing businesses, including high-street retailer Boots the Chemist and global drinks business Diageo plc where he oversaw the firm’s global agenda during a period of significant international expansion.
Most recently, Ian served as Chief Executive of the Food and Drink Federation (‘FDF’) from 2015 to 2022. During a period encompassing Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruption and global inflationary shocks, he drew on his deep understanding of geopolitical, regulatory and operational challenges to expand the FDF’s influence across industry and government.
Recognised as an expert voice in the global food and drink sector, Ian brings more than four decades of experience across the food and drink industry, public policy, and changing geopolitical landscapes. Working alongside Interpath’s Deals, Restructuring, Value Creation and Forensics teams, he will help businesses across this economically significant sector navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving environment. His appointment reflects Interpath’s continued investment in combining deep industry expertise with its advisory capabilities to help clients identify opportunities, manage risk and protect and create long-term value.
Commenting on the appointment, Thomas Swiers, Managing Director and head of the Food and Drink sector at Interpath, said: "Ian is a highly respected figure in the food and drink industry - a true champion of the market and someone who has helped it navigate through some of its most pressing challenges in recent years. With such deep understanding of the intersection between regulatory, geopolitical, and commercial dynamics, combined with decades of leadership experience, few can read the sector like he can. We're thrilled to have him join the team and look forward to the difference he will make for our clients."
Ian Wright CBE, Senior Adviser at Interpath, added: "Food and drink is one of the most influential sectors in the UK economy, spanning retail, manufacturing, farming, and hospitality, but leaders face a plethora of challenges in a rapidly shifting trading environment – whether driven by the environment, the economy, technology, or geopolitics. Food security is national security. With Interpath we'll be focused on helping clients to overcome that complexity and to build resilience for the long-term and on which the whole sector and nation depends.”
