Oh For Food's Sake

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt they needed to “fit in” at work rather than show up as themselves. Amy Wilkinson is joined by Fran Ball, Senior VP for UK Supply Chain at Arla Foods, for a thoughtful and refreshingly honest conversation about leadership, culture, and the human side of performance in the food industry. Fran shares her career journey — from engineering and entrepreneurial businesses to leading one of the UK’s most complex supply chains — and reflects on how leadership expectations and workplace culture have evolved over time. Together, they explore what authentic leadership really looks like in practice: building trust through vulnerability, setting boundaries, and modelling behaviours that give others permission to do the same. Fran also offers a behind-the-scenes look at Arla’s long-term approach to inclusion, including its “30 by 30” gender strategy, built around attracting, developing, and retaining diverse talent. Crucially, the conversation moves beyond women-only initiatives to focus on balance and allyship, why inclusion must work for everyone, and how small, practical changes can have a big impact on retention and engagement. The episode closes with a powerful reflection on choice — being honest with yourself about whether you can truly be yourself at work, and what it means to have the courage to say no. Timestamps 00:00:00 Setting the tone: choosing authenticity over imitation, and a desire to help others do the same. 00:00:10 Episode introduction and how the conversation began, first meeting at the Food Manufacturer Awards. 00:01:53 Career highlights across supply chain, engineering, and leadership, and how each chapter shaped the journey. 00:04:46 Reflections on how COVID shifted perceptions of the food industry and strengthened pride in the profession. 00:07:37 What “bringing your whole self to work” really looks like in practice, beyond corporate slogans. 00:09:40 Why leaders sharing personal struggles creates vulnerability and psychological safety at work. 00:13:43 The power of pausing, simple self-care, and recognising when you’re overwhelmed. 00:14:43 A deep dive into gender diversity strategy, practical actions, and what real culture change requires. 00:18:32 Why everyday inclusion matters, and how improving workplace basics can make a real difference for women. 00:22:09 Why allyship, including the role of male colleagues, is critical for meaningful progress. 00:23:15 How diversity and inclusion drive better ideas, stronger results, and a sense of belonging at work. 00:26:00 On being a role model, choosing authenticity, and not having to sacrifice your whole life for your career. 00:31:47 Looking ahead: attracting new talent, telling the real story of the industry, and why purpose matters. 00:34:23 Closing reflection: are you truly being yourself at work? Sometimes the bravest move is simply saying “no”. Connect with The Fearless Foodies The Fearless Foodie Newsletter straight to your inbox. No fluff, no spam: https://foodies.fearlessfoodies.co.uk/podcast Connect with Amy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywilkinsoncoach/ Connect with Fran here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-ball-aa59003/ Useful Links and Resources: If this episode resonated — especially the parts about being yourself at work, navigating senior roles, and not having to pretend — Fearless Women: Empowered to Rise is designed for women in the food industry who want to lead with confidence and clarity, without burning themselves out:  https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/fearless-women-rise/ And join our FREE network at https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/fearless-women-connect/ Website  Work with Amy on leadership, culture & team development: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk A big Thank you to Our Sponsors: Link to our sponsors IFP Labs: https://www.ifp-labs.com/