Each issue of Food & Drink Business we ask an industry leader five questions about their working life. In our May 2022 edition we talked to the executive chair of Fënn Foods Nicholas Simms.
1 Tell us about your current role
I am currently chair of Fënn Foods, a leading Australian producer of award winning, premium plant-based food brands vEEF and Fënn Foods. All our products are Australian-made with quality 100 per cent natural ingredients, protein-packed and highly delicious.
Fënn Foods was the first company in the world to launch a certified carbon neutral plant-based mince under its vEEF brand. It has been named the Best Sustainable Food Manufacturing Company, Best Eco-Friendly Meat-Free Burgers and was #55 on The Australian Financial Review Fast 100 in 2021.
I am also an advisory board member to Coyo, the world’s first and most awarded certified organic coconut yoghurt brand and leading producer of premium dairy free alternatives.
Coyo’s certified organic, dairy free coconut products are made with 100 per cent natural ingredients that are plant-based, allergen free, preservative free, and kosher certified. They are also teeming with a unique blend of clinically proven plant powered probiotics we call COYObiotics.
2 Tell us your greatest achievement to date
I’m extremely proud of my role in building consumer goods Australian businesses and brands, both domestically and in select international markets. Together with the teams I work with, I build value for their shareholders. I was really proud to work with start-up Five:am Organics which we grew to ~$86m trade sale exit in under four years, and transform what was a small private entity Bubs (ASX:BUB) to an ASX Top 500 company.
3 What is your biggest mistake and what did you learn?
Believing that people place the same level of accountability on themselves as I do on myself. As such I like to focus on building galvanised teams that know what is expected of them, can communicate well, are empowered to deliver focused outcomes, and are accountable as individuals.
4 What would you tell your 25 year old self?
To believe more in yourself and trust your entrepreneurial spirit, the world is a big place!
5 What is one goal you still want to achieve?
With plant-based food and beverage categories projected to generate $3 billion in retail sales in Australia alone by 2030, I plan to assist in the realisation of this value; including championing plant-based foods with partners and consumers, exploration of key Australian ingredients and produce, further enable Australian manufacturing capabilities, and continue to build value for shareholders.
