Marks and Spencer Food preps disruptive Innovation Hub
M&S Food is launching the Innovation Hub, pitched as “a new specialist team that will focus on disruptive innovation to create industry leading products and address some of the biggest sector wide challenges”.
This will go live in January and will consist of nine people spanning packaging, nutrition, product innovation and business development.
Headed up by former Head of Food Technology for convenience Dom Darby, the Innovation Hub will report directly into April Preston, M&S Food’s Director of Product Development and will work in collaboration with the technology and insight functions.
It will partner with technology led businesses such as alternative protein supplier 3F Bio. Another priority area will be packaging as M&S Food looks to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic after its removal of over 2,000 tonnes and elimination of black plastic.
“Creating a dedicated team with the sole purpose of driving disruptive innovation will support us in being more relevant to our customers. But it’s not just about relevancy today; the Innovation Hub will enable us to track emerging trends and insights, so we’re one step ahead in responding to our customers’ needs in the future,” says Stuart Machin, M&S Food’s Managing Director.
“The team will play a key role in helping us to build an even bigger and better food range and show customers that we’re taking action to address the sustainability issues they care about most, so that our actions today protect the planet for tomorrow.”