Sustainability LIVE: D&I – Workplace Culture & Talent

December 09, 2024

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Stuart Branch, Executive Board Director at Weetabix Food Company, discusses building a stronger and fairer workplace culture and nurturing talent

Stuart Branch, Executive Board Director at Weetabix Food Company, opens his fireside chat at Sustainability LIVE: Diversity & Inclusion by sharing Weetabix’s commitment to talent development.

The company’s focus spans attraction, retention and career progression, but recent efforts have prioritised early-career initiatives.

“About 18 months ago, we invested in a dedicated role to oversee apprenticeships, revitalise our graduate programme and engage with local schools,” he explains.

This investment reflects Weetabix’s duty to the community, helping to shape skills and inspire future talent.

Stuart describes the importance of reviewing strategies to ensure continuous improvement, saying: “It’s about listening to our teams and being open to fresh ideas.

“Leadership behaviours play a huge role in embedding a culture of growth.”

He also credits external events and cross-industry networking for sparking innovation.

“I always attend with an open mind, believing there will be at least one idea to take back,” Stuart says. He encourages other organisations to explore similar opportunities for inspiration.

Stuart Branch, Executive Board Director at Weetabix Food Company

Ensuring fairness in progression

When asked about fair career progression, Stuart highlights Weetabix’s robust data-driven approach.

“We analyse performance ratings, succession planning data and training investment to identify correlations that may indicate unconscious bias,” he says.

He also emphasises the importance of acting on these insights to ensure intent aligns with impact.

Weetabix’s efforts in gender diversity were particularly noteworthy with measurable progress in leadership representation. While gender remains a key focus, Stuart notes the company’s growing attention to other aspects of diversity.

The company’s structured induction programme also ensures that new employees understand its diversity and inclusion strategy from day one.

Complemented by an intranet filled with resources and a voluntary group called Inclusion Without Exception, this approach fosters an inclusive workplace.

Stuart Branch, Executive Board Director at Weetabix Food Company

Building culture through collaboration and consistency

Discussing Weetabix’s broader cultural strategy, Stuart reveals the company’s guiding principle: “Do the right thing, even when no one is looking.”

This philosophy underscores all initiatives from sustainability efforts to employee engagement.

The Inclusion Without Exception group organises events such as parenting workshops and breakfast talks to engage employees and support their wellbeing.

These initiatives create a sense of belonging while addressing the challenges employees face both professionally and personally.

On supplier diversity, Stuart acknowledges a cautious yet effective approach.

“We follow frameworks inspired by our customers’ standards, ensuring ethical practices throughout our supply chain,” he says.

He notes that while Weetabix avoids heavy-handed enforcement, the company remains committed to improving supplier relationships in alignment with its values.

Stuart concludes by reflecting on the importance of listening to colleagues, customers and suppliers.

“Culture isn’t static; it evolves with context. By embracing a mindset of continuous learning, we ensure Weetabix remains a great place to work,” he says.

Stuart Branch, Executive Board Director at Weetabix Food Company