Commercial acumen is a key skill for future leaders in the fresh food industry for several reasons. First, having a strong understanding of business and finance can help leaders make more informed and strategic decisions that can improve the profitability and sustainability of their organisations. This can be especially important in the fresh food industry, where competition and market conditions are highly dynamic.

Second, commercial acumen can help leaders better understand their customers and the market they operate in, which can be crucial for developing successful products and marketing strategies. 

Third, commercial acumen can help leaders develop strong relationships with stakeholders, such as suppliers, distributors, and investors. Having a deep understanding of the business and financial aspects of the industry can make leaders more credible and trustworthy in the eyes of these stakeholders, which can be important for securing partnerships and investments.

Overall, commercial acumen is an essential skill in the fresh food industry because it can help leaders make better decisions, understand customers and the market, and develop strong relationships with stakeholders. By developing these skills, leaders can position their organisations for long-term success in a fast-changing and competitive industry.

If you're in the fresh food industry and interested in improving your commercial acumen skills please consider attending our fully residential, 2 day Emerging Managers Program.