Candidate spotlight


Adrian Smith, Technical Manager & semi-pro footballer


Adrian Smith worked for Tesco for 11 years before taking a sabbatical from food to focus on his work as a football coach and to set up a development centre for young, aspiring players. Adrian’s list of industry qualifications is only matched by his sporting achievements, which include playing as a semi-professional footballer with Grantham Town and Boston FC, winning bronze in a European Ju Jitsu Championships, and completing four marathons and four Olympic-length triathlons.

Adrian (with arms in the air) coaching a youth team

What made you want to work in the food industry?

I literally fell into the industry. I was playing semi-professional football and had a couple of trials with professional clubs. I needed to do something as it was looking doubtful my dreams would materialise so I joined a Government scheme call the Youth Training Scheme. They got me an interview at a local company that processed dry foods and nuts. I was hooked.

What skills do you see as being key to both sport and business?

Determination and the ability to adapt to different situations - you never know what is going to happen and you have to think quickly. Planning is crucial in both in the food industry and in sport.

What do you feel are your best achievements in sport and in business?

In business, it’s setting out my goals and achieving them and always striving to be the best. I developed some initiatives while at Tesco that are still used on the shelves today - that makes me proud. In sport, I have been lucky enough to work with some top coaches in the industry and work on several television programmes in the UK and around the world.

How do you feel food companies can best encourage healthy eating?

This is always going to be a challenge. As we are talking about changing eating habits, it is the younger generation that we need to focus on. We need to make fun food that is easy for them to transport, prepare and eat. We have habits when shopping, customers know what they want and usually buy the same thing because they feel comfortable with it. Restaurants, media and good PR will assist in changing habits.

Do you think only ‘healthy’ food producers should sponsor sporting events?

Difficult one, it seems that the “fast food” producers are the ones making the money, which says it all about our eating habits. If they are encouraging people to get active that is not always a bad thing, it is a start. It would be ideal that only healthy food producers sponsor sports but we are not in that ideal world yet.

What food company do you most admire and why?

Sainsbury’s because they have not been afraid to change their image to keep themselves moving forward but they never forget their customers. They are a people’s company.

Who is your sporting hero and why?

I have many of these, from people that I grew up with and idolised in football, Bob Paisley and Martin O’Neil come to mind the most. Both are leaders in their field, know what they want and never give up, and are great with people. I was lucky enough to work for Martin O’Neil.

What is the next challenge you’re looking for?

Getting back in the food industry! The longer I am away the harder it seems to get back in. Whatever I do I want to be the best at it.