DEFA has launched a Food Matters Business Accelerator Programme.

Local food and drink businesses seeking to develop their retail grocery accounts and/or export business strategy are invited to attend a series of five interactive group coaching workshops with Fiona Fitzpatrick of Fiona Fitz Consulting Ltd.

The workshops will be held on Monday evenings from 6pm to 8pm starting on June 10, with the first one entitled ’Understanding my target consumer, shopper and trade customer and making clear choices’.

Subsequent workshops take participants through refining their proposition, defining future business opportunities, and decoding their route to market.

Fiona has more than 20 years’ experience in blue chip marketing, spanning both retail and food services, which she can draw on to help food businesses to scale their brands profitably.

She was managing director of one of the original food-brand start-up successes abroad - Gü Chocolate Puds France - and says that she has learned from both the ups and downs across all aspects of international food business development.

’Thanks to this rich experience, I can draw from personal experience to help your company to overcome many of the common pitfalls that scaling food brands come up against,’ she said.

’In recent years, my business has evolved to focus primarily on developing the people and processes that underpin transformational growth.

’As a food business strategy consultant and coach, as well as one of The Irish Food Board’s (Bord Bia) key business mentors on their many accelerator programmes, I have had the opportunity to help well over 150 food businesses since 2010.’

Food Minister Geoffrey Boot MHK said: ’A competitive food and drink industry is critically important in ensuring the continuing diversification of the island’s economy.

’This programme aims to support established food and drink businesses using Manx produce wanting to drive growth by up-skilling and optimising the way they work.’

The workshops will take place at DEFA headquarters Thie Slieau Whallian in St John’s from 6pm to 9pm every Monday evening from June 10 to July 8.

To apply, visit www.iomfoodanddrink.com/business-accelerator-programme/