Challenge

Marston Foods had agreed an ambitious three-year sales plan and financial targets through to FY2029. However, its existing vision was eight years old, was not strongly owned by the current leadership team and did not create a compelling sense of mission around the numbers. The business wanted a vision that could unite its people, guide strategic choices and translate commercial ambition into practical action. 

Approach

hgkc designed and facilitated a structured series of three strategic workshops. The leadership team first created a shared picture of the business they wanted Marston Foods to become by 2030. They then explored the external and internal context, using SWOT and TOWS analysis to connect the company’s strengths in innovation, flexibility and relationships with opportunities for new products, categories and customer collaboration. The process also confronted barriers including skills, staff retention, capacity, systems and factory capability. 

These insights were brought together through an Outcomes Map, linking the envisioned future to the capabilities, systems, people priorities and commercial initiatives needed to deliver it. 

Results

The work produced a clear strategic framework combining Marston Foods’ purpose, values and 2030 mission, owned collectively by the leadership team who can now push it forwards. The agreed vision is for the business to become one of the UK’s leading food manufacturers, recognised for innovation, sustainability and being a great place to work. Its envisioned future balances ambitious growth with operational excellence, craft quality, environmental responsibility, stronger supplier relationships and investment in people and skills. 

The resulting Strategy on a Page provides a practical 90-day rolling plan structure for translating the mission into prioritised objectives, actions, ownership, timescales, resources and measures of success, giving the leadership team a shared basis for future planning and communication.

Get in Touch

Our approach is always to tailor the support we provide to meet the needs of clients. Whether providing a valued external opinion, taking a more practical role to define the strategy, or help to build upon the skills, knowledge and experience of the team, we have been on hand as much or as little as required.

So, whether your company seeks business continuity and growth, intends to pivot towards new markets, or needs to be able to deal with a period of unprecedented change, our team of experts is here to support your journey, every step of the way. Get in touch for a no-commitment discussion.