South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone Celebrates Official Opening

The future of food production in the UK has taken a step forward this week, after the official opening of the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ).

The event, which marks the completion of the first phase of the FEZ, took place at the recently opened site just outside Holbeach on Thursday 22 September.

This first phase of the FEZ includes the University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM), Lincolnshire County Council’s Hub for Agricultural Businesses and The Institute of Technology Digital Food Manufacturing Centre. The developments represent over £16m of investment to support Greater Lincolnshire’s Agri-food sector and help position it as the UK Food Valley, a Top 10 global centre for international food trade.

The development represents an effective partnership between the University of Lincoln, the Greater Lincolnshire Local Economic Partnership (GLLEP), Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council.

Professor Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln said:

‘‘The University is delighted to have worked with our partners to support this major investment in the Agri-food sector which will enable Professor Val Braybrooks and her team to build on the outstanding success of the National Centre for Food Manufacturing as a major research and skills hub, helping the sector address its challenges and take advantage of growth opportunities.

“I would also like to thank the many representatives from industry who have supported the NCFM, including Jayne Almond, Director of Policy and Corporate Affairs at Food and Drink Federation, Donna-Marie Lee, Chief People Officer at Bakkavor and Harry Norman, CEO of OAL’’

Professor Val Braybrooks, Dean of Holbeach Campus and National Centre for Food Manufacturing said:

‘‘We are delighted for the opportunity to build on the outstanding success of the NCFM.

“We are indebted to our key partners, the hundreds of food manufacturing businesses that continue to support the NCFM, and to the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and the Food and Drink Federation who work tirelessly at the regional and national level to influence policy and help the sectors’ cause’’