We ask industry leaders five questions about their working life. This month we talk to Maggie Beer Holdings CEO Chantale Millard. This article first appeared in the December 2021 issue of Food and Drink Business.
1. Tell us about your current role.
I am the CEO & managing director of ASX listed company Maggie Beer Holdings Ltd, which owns four premium Australian businesses – Maggie Beer Products, Hampers & Gifts Australia, Paris Creek Farms Biodynamic Organic Dairy and Saint David Dairy. Our businesses create innovative and memorable food, beverage and gifting products of the highest quality, that are on trend and match people’s ever-changing shopping habits and lifestyles. They use Australian ingredients and materials wherever possible, supporting sustainability, local farmers and their communities. The businesses have operated predominantly in national and international grocery retail and food service sectors, however, the acquisition of Hampers & Gifts Australia (HGA) in May 2021 has given us a large e-commerce and direct to consumer business that will allow us to now grow across multiple channels and leverage our manufacturing operations.
2. What has been your greatest achievement to date?
In FY21, with my team, we completed
the business turnaround for the group, creating sustainable double-digit sales growth and returning the group to profitability. We also completed the acquisition of premium e-commerce business HGA, a business that is very synergistic with the MBH group, diversifying our revenue streams and creating an exciting path for growth
in e-commerce as well as the retail
grocery sectors.
3. What was your biggest mistake and what did you learn?
Not all new products to market will work, and I have spent a time and money persisting with a product that just isn’t going to work. I learned that when something isn’t working, fail fast and invest your time and energy into something else.
4. What would you tell your 25-year-old self?
Don’t sweat the small stuff, listen to your gut and trust your instincts more often!
5. What is one goal you still want to achieve?
To build on the great things we are already doing to create a group that is as sustainable and community minded as possible – we are currently working to achieve carbon neutral status for Paris Creek Farms. Also, to realise the full potential of the group, so we can reward our employees and shareholders who have put their belief in the group over several years.
