March Foods Leading the Way: #Giving to Gain
In the manufacturing sector, gender representation continues to lag behind broader workforce trends.
Gender Diversity Leadership
International Women’s Day has been marked globally for more than 115 years, evolving into a powerful movement for collective action, gender equity and progress. This year’s campaign theme Give To Gain reminds us that when individuals and organisations give generously, whether through opportunity, support, mentorship or advocacy, everyone gains. It’s a philosophy built on reciprocity, connection and shared success and one that reflects how we approach our culture at March Foods.
In the manufacturing sector, gender representation continues to lag behind broader workforce trends. The Women in UK Manufacturing 2025 report from the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) states that women’s representation in the manufacturing workforce reached 28.4% in 2024, with the largest gaps in technical, engineering and senior roles. These challenges aren’t about capability; they’re about system design, visibility, retention and opportunity.
At March Foods, we’re proud to be ahead of the curve.
Our own gender distribution demonstrates meaningful and sustained progress:
NB: figures correct as of 17/02/2026
These figures far exceed national averages and reflect an environment where people can thrive, regardless of gender.
At the same time, we acknowledge, and actively work on the areas where representation still mirrors industry‑wide challenges. Engineering and Warehouse & Supply Chain remain male‑skewed, as they are across UK manufacturing. The IfM report reinforces that these gaps are rooted in longstanding structural barriers and outdated perceptions, not individual potential.
This is why leadership and visible action matter, and why the Give To Gain theme resonates so strongly with us.
Later this month, our Managing Director Tracy Southwell will speak live at IFE on the Future of Food podcast, contributing to an important conversation about women in manufacturing and the behaviours that enable more inclusive, high‑performing teams. Tracy’s perspective is grounded in real operational experience and reflects a core principle of both IWD 2026 and the IfM’s research: when organisations actively give opportunity, voice and support, they gain stronger teams, greater innovation and improved long‑term performance.
At March Foods, this philosophy underpins everything we do. We give through inclusive recruitment and development, supportive, flexible work environments, leadership that listens, learns and champions equality and opportunities for colleagues at every stage of their careers. And in return, we gain a stronger retention, richer perspectives, more resilient teams and a culture people are proud to be a part of.
International Women’s Day is not about spotlighting one group at the expense of another. It is about recognising that gender equality benefits everyone, colleagues, teams, businesses and the wider manufacturing sector. When representation is balanced and inclusion is genuine, people perform at their best.
This year, we celebrate the incredible women across March Foods, and the allies who work alongside them to create a culture where talent can grow and thrive. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, energised by the work still ahead, and committed to continuing to give in order to gain a stronger, fairer industry for all.
Happy International Women’s Day 2026 from all of us at March Foods.
#IWD2026 #GivetoGain
