As 2020 comes to a close and we move into a new year, it’s important to reflect on all we’ve been through together over the last 12 months. It was a year that changed the lives of people around the world – forcing us to discover a new norm for the way we work, school, and live – presenting many challenges along the way.
Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to all our colleagues, for your dedication, hard work and support during what has been an incredibly difficult time. Our teams adapted brilliantly to new ways of working – navigating social distancing rules, virtual meetings and multiple policy updates – to ensure the safety of our employees and enabling the business to respond to rapid changes in industry demand. Everyone’s commitment, diligence and care meant Covid cases across the Group have remained low, even with nationwide spikes.
To our customers and partners, we know how extraordinary these times have been for you and your businesses. During such uncertainty, there is one thing you can always count on – our commitment to you. Our solidarity has got us through this together, and we will continue to provide the utmost support to you today, and into the future.
Having started the financial year across both Food and Agriculture in a strong position, I’m immensely proud of our strength and perseverance in adapting to our new reality, which has put us in good stead for 2021. With promising news of the vaccine rolling out in the new year, we look forward to the day we’re all reunited and return to a sense of normality. Until then, please keep you and your families safe over the festive period and stay positive, better times lie ahead.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Gary Blake, CEO, The Billington Group