'The food and drink sector is in the midst of a serious transformation'

What's your name?

Dirk Jacobs

What’s your current job?

Deputy Director General and Director Consumer Information, Diet and Health at FoodDrinkEurope.

How long have you held the position?

Since 2012. I’ve been with FoodDrinkEurope since 2010, in various roles.

Can you describe your daily work routine?

Whether it is speaking at conferences, discussing plans and actions with our member experts, participating in official EU meetings, meeting policy makers and politicians, or spending an entire day answering e-mails behind my desk, no single day is the same.

What is your professional background?

I have a Bsc and Msc in International Business Administration and a post-graduate degree in European Business studies.

Tell me about yourself away from work?

Dutch of origin, dad, and a dedicated cook.

Tell us something very few people know about you?

I enjoyed my best steak ever in Dublin!

You are speaking at the forthcoming National Food and Drink Industry Summit in Dublin. What is the focus of your talk?

The challenge of obesity and non-communicable disease, and the shared responsibility of industry, government, consumers, etc. to combat it. With the right approach and policy incentives, nutrition and health-focused business strategies can be a driver for innovation and growth.

In your opinion what are the main trends and disruptions having effect on the industry?

There are several global trends that are affecting the food and drink industry severely, such as climate change, the double burden of malnutrition, a growing and ageing population, and urbanization. Digitalisation is also affecting the industry, opening up opportunities for innovation and supply chain efficiency (e.g. 3D-printing, artificial intelligence, precision farming, etc.).

What changes do you envisage for the food and drink sector over the next five years?

The food and drink sector is in the midst of a serious transformation towards more sustainable (economic-social-environmental) production, amongst others prompted by ever more demanding consumer expectations, rational efficiency gains and societal reputation – companies that are able to integrate this into their business models and strategies will bear the fruits in the long run. I am convinced that we’ll see a lot of changes in the dynamics and competition within the industry in the next 5-10-20 years as a consequence.

Dirk Jacobs is appearing at The National Food & Drink Industry Summit. The agenda and further details for this important national event at Croke Park on May 29th, are available atwww.foodindustry.ie