Here we are – in 2025! We have a new government still finding its feet, the economy has seen much better days and we’re all looking ahead to the new year with… excitement? Trepidation? Fear? I have a feeling it could be a challenging year for some, and one where it will be important to stick to your guns and power through.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the New Year’s Resolutions, ambitious Q1 plans, the sight of a new business year starting – and in a changing environment, to get a bit lost in all the things you’d like your business to achieve next. As the Managing Director of Thomas Ridley Foodservice, based in Rougham, I’m no different. But, now more than ever, when things are tough all round, I think it’s important to take a breath, take a step back, and focus on the things you do best.
The start of this new year certainly feels particularly important, and it’s vital to get thinking about how upcoming industry or tax changes will affect your business, and potentially how you are going to adjust your business to adapt to a changing commercial environment.
What does 2025 hold for you?
This time last year I had just started at Thomas Ridley, taking over the helm of what had been a family-run business for several generations, following the business’ acquisition into Caterfood Buying Group in January 2023. Looking back on the last 12 months, there’s certainly been a lot to learn and a lot that I’m very proud of.
It is quite common for organisations that have gone through a change of ownership to experience a degree of ‘readjustment’, and Thomas Ridley has been no different. But we have some incredible employees here – many of whom have been with the business for decades – and I feel very lucky to now be part of this wonderful organisation.
Naturally, as a new MD, I have looked to make some efficiencies and to adjust the direction of the business slightly, but I have also been able to action ways to invest in and improve our large 11-acre and 114,000 square ft warehouse and distribution site on the Rougham Industrial Estate (near the newly-opened Costa and McDonald’s!).
Jon Marlow, MD of Thomas Ridley Foodservice
One of the things I was most proud of when I started at Ridley’s was our impeccable service level and I am very pleased to say that this has remained industry-leading. This has been bolstered, of course, by the introduction of our very colourful Ridley’s Local delivery van, which hopefully you’ve seen out and about!
We have a lot of exciting things planned for 2025, and at Thomas Ridley – as one of eight members of one of the most exciting new buying groups in the UK – we are in a unique and robust position. Yes, we are fully aware of the pressures facing all of our customers right now, with changes to National Insurance and minimum wage, the overall squeeze on the hospitality sector and changes in consumer spending habits when it comes to eating out. But, as part of Caterfood Buying Group, we have the support and expertise of our other members and central teams, and believe that by working together, where we can, we will be able to prosper in 2025.
In my experience, businesses that do the right thing and focus on their core strengths and positive attributes are the ones that will be successful in challenging times. At Thomas Ridley, we have superb service levels, great pricing, great products and most of all, colleagues who are passionate about the business and about our customers – and that is what will stand us in good stead.
Thomas Ridley Foodservice
So, if you’re in any part of foodservice or retail, it might just be worth making it your New Year’s resolution to look into Thomas Ridley and how we might be able to help you stand out from the competition this year!
By Jon Marlow, Managing Director at Thomas Ridley Foodservice