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Hi I'm
Ceri Ritchie
- Position: Principal Consultant (part-time)
- Location: North East Scotland
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Expertise:
- Food and Drink
- Business Management and Finance
As Principal Consultant (part-time) at SAC Consulting I undertake project work for a variety of clients across Scotland. In my career I have held a number of senior positions within SRUC and at the Cooperative Wholesale Society (CWS). Since joining SAC Consulting, I have worked on a number of projects, ranging from regional economic strategies and major Scotland-wide projects to one-to-one company advice. I am passionate about supporting enterprise creation and entrepreneurial ambition.
With 40 years' management and marketing experience in the UK's food & drink supply chain I have more recently focussed on local food & drink, food tourism, rural enterprise and delivering THRIVE, a weekend school for the next generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland’s food & drink and rural sector.
With an understanding of what drives consumer behaviour and key industry challenges, such as climate change and sustainability, I provide strategic advice to a range of businesses and organisations. As an established and well-respected project manager I also manage the Scottish Government's £4M annual Veterinary Services Programme and managed Connect Local, the Scottish Government's Local Food & Drink Marketing Advisory Service (2016 to 2020). While working in the UK grocery sector for the Cooperative Wholesale Society I was responsible for procuring key grocery ranges, latterly as a Category Manager and prior to that a Senior Buyer, Buyer and Product Manager.
In my time at SRUC I have held a number of industry-wide roles, including representing SRUC on the Scotland Food and Drink Executive Group from 2007 to 2017.
Areas of expertise and interests
- Food and Drink
- Business Management and Finance
I'm currently working on
- supporting development, growth and strategic marketing in Scotland’s micro and SME local food and drink, and food tourism businesses
- supporting and advising Scotland’s regional food groups
- developing alternative food and non-food products farming enterprises for biodiversity and sustainability
- delivering THRIVE – a weekend school for the next generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland’s food and drink sector
- supporting diversification in Scotland’s farming and rural economy
- facilitating the AgriScot Diversified Farm of the Year Award
- project managing the Scottish Government’s Veterinary Services Programme delivered by SRUC veterinary colleagues
My professional highlights
- One of the three finalists for Inspirational Woman of the Year 2020 as part of the Business Women Scotland Awards
- Awarded the SRUC ‘R C Stewart Award’ for extension and advisory work for industry
- Working with Scotland’s fantastic and inspiring food and drink businesses every day
- Acting as a judge for a number of industry-wide business awards
- Contributing author to the book: ‘Breaking with Tradition – Building Partnerships & Alliances in the European Food Industry’, a business publication produced in association with Wye College, University of London & the Institute of Grocery Distribution
Additional links
Find out more about our consulting services
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SAC Consulting
Our consultants in 25 offices across Scotland and northern England turn research into advice and advantage for business and public sector alike.
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Consulting news
Check out our SRUC News consulting & commercial section to find articles about our commercial partnerships and consulting activities.
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Business Services
Our business services work across food supply chains and the natural economy to help clients rise to the challenge of climate change and scientific and technological transformation.