One of Australia's leading food executives, Peter Simpson from the Manildra Group, has been honoured by being awarded the Australian confectionery industry's highest accolade.
Mr Simpson is the recipient of the Alfred Stauder Award for Excellence which recognises lifetime service to the confectionery industry in Australasia.
Mr Simpson was surprised but delighted to receive the Award.
"This is a wonderful, but very unexpected honour that the industry has given to me. I know that the past awardees have been very highly thought of in the industry and to be included amongst those people is certainly an honour and a privilege.
"It has been wonderful to be closely involved with the confectionery industry over the past 40 years. I've certainly enjoyed the relationship with so many people in an industry that has such a rich history and stands for having fun," Mr Simpson said.
In presenting the award to Mr Simpson, the Head of the Confectionery Sector of the Australian Industry Group, Tim Piper, said Mr Simpson has been an integral part of the industry with Manildra Group and is deserving of recognition.
Mr Piper said: "Peter Simpson, or Simmo as he is known to all, has been involved in the administration of the confectionery sector for many years and has been instrumental in forging new opportunities for confectioners in Australia and New Zealand in particular, and globally as well. He has played very important roles over decades in managing and supporting the industry's renowned annual conferences.
"Simmo is a thoroughly deserving winner and this accolade is due acknowledgement of his significant contribution and value to the industry. He and Manildra have been great partners with the Australian confectionery industry," Mr Piper said.
The award was presented to Mr Simpson at ConTech 2023, the Ai Group Confectionery Sector's premier annual event for the Australian confectionery industry, which was held recently in Melbourne.
Further comment
Tim Piper – 0411 430 301
Tim Piper is Head of the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) in Victoria and its Confectionery Sector. The Ai Group Confectionery Sector represents the confectionery industry through its management of the Ai Group Confectionery Sector.
Ai Group has as part of its organisation a Confectionery Sector which delivers confectionery advocacy, news, information and assistance to Members. The Confectionery Sector represents in excess of 100 confectionery companies which include sugar, chocolate and gum confectionery manufacturers, suppliers to the industry of ingredients, packaging, machinery and services as well as distributors of the product.
