The Flava People, experts in sauces and seasonings for almost 50 years, have, due to their success in recent years, expanded their New Product Development (NPD) team by welcoming two exceptional new members. As the company looks towards its ambitious growth plans for the future, Sophie Fellows has been appointed as a Flava Developer, while Lauren Madden joins as the New Product Development Manager. Their expertise will be key in driving forward the exciting innovation and creativity that The Flava People are known for as they continue to build on their recent successes and shape the next chapter of their journey.
The Flava People is dedicated to creating exceptional and accessible products which enable everyone from at-home cooks to professional chefs to deliver game changing mealtimes packed with flavour. With their own brands including Flava It! and MCR, The Flava People also works with brands who are household names to deliver unique and exciting licensed and collaborative products, including working with Guinness, Baileys, Pinch of Nom, and Mob Kitchen. Commitment to continuous development is a key driver at The Flava People, and this is achieved by having team members who think outside the box. The company encourages every team member to have a voice when generating new ideas, creating an inclusive and innovative environment.
Sophie Fellows joins The Flava People as Flava Developer, bringing with her nearly 10 years of experience in the food industry with experience in both savoury and sweet manufacturing. After earning a food and nutrition degree from Sheffield Hallam University and completing a placement year at Dairy Crest where Fellows worked on developing flavoured milkshakes and alcoholic seasonal creams, Sophie spent four years at the Flava People as a developer. Leaving The Flava People in 2019, Fellows worked at the Authentic Food Company as a process technologist, focusing on ready meal development, before returning.
In her new role as Flava Developer with The Flava People, Sophie is eager to use her passion and experience to bring innovation to the world of savoury and sweet manufacturing and bring some ready meal & process experience to understand our customer’s needs and opportunities.
Lauren Madden, New Product Development Manager, also returns to The Flava People, bringing a wealth of experience across various sectors and nine years in the industry. Madden started her career with the Co-op before initially joining The Flava People as a maternity cover Technologist. Quickly progressing to Senior Technologist and extending her stay for four years, Madden moved to Dunbia, where she served as Senior NPD Manager for over a year before making her way back to The Flava People, now taking on the role of NPD Manager.
Lauren’s rejoining is something she is incredibly excited about, as it gives her a chance to step up and head the New Product Development (NPD) team. During this period of innovation and exciting growth, she is ready to share the team’s passion and enthusiasm for food with consumers by making it available for them to try at home. Lauren’s goal for the team is to provide home cooks with the freedom to explore different flavours while receiving support in their execution. She believes that when you are passionate about what you’re creating, that enthusiasm will always shine through in the final products.
Scott Dixon, Managing Director of The Flava People, says: “As a third-generation family-run business, we’ve always strived to innovate and push the boundaries. As our brand has expanded, so have our ambitions and accomplishments, making it essential to grow our NPD team. This expansion is not just to keep pace with the exciting innovation and progress we’re experiencing, but also to welcome back two incredibly talented individuals whose expertise will elevate our NPD efforts to the next level.
“Both Sophie and Lauren bring extensive experience, having worked on some truly remarkable projects in the time since they have worked elsewhere. We’re thrilled to have them rejoin us, especially at a time when our recent product collaborations with the likes of Mob and Pinch of Nom have just made a significant impact in the sauce and seasoning industry. We can’t wait to see the unbelievable products they’ll create with us once again.”