The Buyer | Feros Mitch Fowler on galvanising young drinks leaders of the future

The drinks industry’s young leaders of tomorrow are not looking to prioritise the product and technical knowledge of the drinks they sell (only 4%), but rather want to be equipped with the business vision (46%) and commerce skills (32%) that will take them to the top of the sector. Those were the stand out figures from a forum of some of the industry’s top young industry talent as part of a new ‘Young Leaders’ initiative from Fero, the fintech, finance and supply chain company. Its commitment to give a platform for the next generation of drinks industry talent is matched by the drive, passion and commitment of young drinks professionals to set aside issues of low pay (21%), and unclear career development (39%), in order to play their part in shaping the long term future for a sector they are passionate about being part of. Here Mitch Fowler, co-founder and chief executive of Fero, explains why it wants to play its part in promoting the next generation of business talent and how the industry as a whole needs to work harder to ensure it is giving the right opportunities and experience to the individuals who will ultimately become our industry’s leaders of the future.