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Nestlé UK and Ireland Chairman commended with Honorary Doctorate

Fiona Kendrick, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé UK and Ireland was today commended with an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University in recognition of her contribution to the food industry, for promoting skills development and collaborations between Academia and business.

The collaboration work with the University began some years ago with the co-creation of the ‘Fast Start Programme’ with Sheffield Business School, an innovative scheme offering school leavers the opportunity to earn a degree whilst gaining real professional experience working at the heart of Nestlé’s corporate business functions.

At the end of the degree, graduates get the chance to work full time at Nestlé UK and make a valuable impact using their academic knowledge and practical business experience.

More recently Fiona has been instrumental in supporting the University to set up the new MEng Food Engineering degree, a course that aims to provide students with the skills to become senior engineers and leaders within the food and drink sector.

Speaking of the honour, Dame Fiona Kendrick, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé UK and Ireland said:

"I am delighted to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University. It’s no secret that skills and creating job opportunities are a particular passion of mine. In the food and drink industry in particular, we have a massive skills shortage looming – we need 170,300 by 2020 in a number of positions and that’s why I believe businesses and Academia should work together to unlock a talented pipeline to create our future leaders of tomorrow.

"Through our ongoing collaboration, I look forward to working with Sheffield Hallam University to help build a pipeline of skilled workers that not only businesses can benefit from but also enabling graduates to feel like they are making a real difference to their career.”