In 2025, only 16% of board-level positions in the wholesale industry are held by women; starkly lower than the UK national average of 48%. This gender gap highlights a pressing need for greater support, visibility, and leadership opportunities for women in our sector. At Riverside Foods, a proudly female-led company, we’re working to change that.
We spoke with our Co-Owner
Leigh Morris, who has spent over 25 years in the food industry, about her journey, challenges, and the importance of championing women in wholesale.
What inspired you to lead a wholesale company?
“My passion has always been rooted in providing premium-quality poultry at scale. I’ve never compromised on quality and am deeply committed to the welfare of our poultry. That dedication has been my driving force.”
What does leadership mean to you?
“I’ve always loved being hands-on—especially in product development. I listen carefully to customer feedback and work directly with them to fine-tune products that truly work for their business. Being a smaller company allows us to stay agile, responsive, and personal.”
What makes a female-led business different in management style?
“I think we bring a people-first approach, with a natural focus on collaboration, empathy, and attention to detail. We build close-knit teams and foster a culture of openness and flexibility that empowers everyone to thrive.”
Do you have a menopause policy in place?
“Yes, and I’m proud of that. As a majority women-run business, it’s important we support women through all life stages. Recognising and responding to the needs of our team makes us stronger as a company.”
Do you offer flexible working patterns?
“Absolutely. It’s all about trust and balance. We support flexible working because we want our team to be happy and healthy, while still delivering exceptional results.”
Do you run mentorship programmes?
“Yes, mentoring is vital. It’s how we pass on knowledge and experience to the next generation. I believe in nurturing talent and creating opportunities for women to grow into leadership roles.”
At Riverside Foods, we’re not just proud of our products; we’re proud of the people behind them. And we’re committed to helping build a future where more women lead, innovate, and thrive in wholesale.
Connect with Leigh Morris
Leigh is a champion for women’s equality in the wholesale industry. If you’d like to connect with Leigh, you can email her using the form below, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
