JBS is gearing up for a year of growth in 2020 and sustainability will continue to be a core focus. JBS Global UK’s newly appointed Managing Director Nick Sherwood working closely with others in the leadership team and JBS Brazil’s Director of Sustainability Marcio Nappo and Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability for JBS USA Cameron Bruett to drive industry-leading approaches to challenges across the global beef industry.

Here, he shares an insight into his career at JBS so far and focuses for the year ahead.

How long have you been working for JBS and how has the company changed in that time?

I have been working at JBS for almost a decade, following a career with large British and EU agri-business companies and international food businesses. Overall, I have twenty years’ plus experience in the sector, much of it UK based.  

Originally from New Zealand, working for JBS has enhanced my experience of the industry on a global scale as I have been part of the growth of one of the world’s largest meat producers, liaising with production units in South America, the USA, Canada and Australia as well as other parts of Europe. 

Over the past ten years’ there have been several changes taking place across JBS, from consumer dietary trends, growing trade into China, antibiotic-free ranges and increasing growth of Halal. Each market has faced and overcome individual challenges but one constant across all regions has been the shared drive to lead the market in sustainability.

Notably we have made significant investment in advanced daily monitoring capabilities comprising satellite technology, geo-referenced far data and official government records to ensure compliance with our stringent responsible sourcing policies in the Amazon. This is accompanied by a strict-zero deforestation policy. 

What does the next year hold for JBS?

The UK office will continue to offer its diverse range of high-quality and added value products to our customers across the country and to do so It is important that the Brazilian beef industry continues to have the ongoing support of the market. We will be continuing to work with local authorities, government and wider industry to continue to implement new solutions across our supply chain and lead on sustainable agriculture. 

The team and I in the UK are involved and committed to making sure that our customers in the UK and Europe are supplied with the highest quality, sustainably sourced beef so we will be regularly updating on the progression of such approaches and partnerships.