Who We Are

Susan PieterseSusan Pieterse

Susan set up FBDC in 1997, following a career spanning 15 years in Marks & Spencer's food division as food product selector. During this time, Susan worked within chilled and ambient departments and has developed a comprehensive knowledge of the food industry and its challenges.

Setting new industry standards, Susan has created and launched:

  • First chilled/ambient kids range, 1991
  • First own label shaved cooked meats
  • First own label farmhouse bread loaves
  • Award-winning own label Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1989
  • First ambient non-homogenised dressing - awarded five stars in The Sunday Times 1989
  • First ambient own label meal accompaniment range including oils, vinegars and dressings
  • First to market Crunchy Cereals with freeze dried fruit e.g. strawberries
  • First to market with speciality bottled fruits and hampers

Awards

  • Runner Up for East of England Business Woman of the Year Enterprise Award, 2001
  • Development consultant to the Sandwich of the Year award for Boots, 2003
  • Business Link Smart Funding Innovation Award
  • Star Pack Silver Award for Innovative Patented Packaging on the Cookbox, 2005

Karl Imiruaye

Karl qualified as a Food Technologist in Humberside. He has 20 years experience with independent and blue chip companies supplying major retailers such as M&S, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose from a variety of companies within Northern Foods, Saxby Brothers and RHM, within development, process and technical disciplines.

Karl has set new industry standards by developing:

  • First mini bread rolls Karl Imiruaye
  • First chilled cookie dough
  • First low fat pastry
  • First savoury pastry turnovers
  • First Duchy organic Christmas pudding
  • First organic pastry
  • First chilled cheese pastry
  • First chilled ready to bake chocolate fudge brownie
  • First microwaveable bread dough

Other examples of categories and products Karl has successfully launched products within include finger foods, ready meals, soft drinks, ice cream, cooked meats, pizza's, pasties, pies and to go products.