Ian Wright is a senior corporate adviser, specialising in advising on geopolitical risk. Ian has three decades of working at Board level at the intersection of business and politics. He was an Executive Committee member at Diageo plc, Chief Executive of the UK Food & Drink Federation and subsequently chaired both the UK Food & Drink Sector Council and the UK Food & Drink Export Council.
Today he advises global and national leaders in financial services, construction and food and drink. He is also a founding Partner of Acuti Associates and is Chair of spirits technology business DeLux Global. He has led Cabinet Office external reviews of HM Defence Equipment & Supply, Porton Down Research Establishment and the Government Communications Service. He is a frequent broadcaster and has a regular column in The Grocer magazine. He was awarded a CBE for political and public service in 2015.
Adviser
Ian Wright is a founding partner at Acuti Associates. Formed to offer bespoke board and executive committee level advisory services, Acuti Associates focuses on the business strategy and reputation implications of geopolitics and risk. Ian also advises a number of businesses in their involvement in the food and drink sector.
Commentator and Columnist
Ian Wright is a columnist and commentator whose work appears regularly across a wide range of national and industry publications. He writes the regular Second Opinion column for food and drink industry bible ‘The Grocer’ where he covers the politics of food. He also contributes regular profiles of leading industry figures.
Speaker, podcaster and broadcaster
Ian Wright is a regular broadcaster and podcaster on the key challenges facing the food industry.
He is also in demand to chair podcast panel debates, take part as a panellist or as a key speaker.
Public appointments and non executive director roles
Ian Wright chaired the UK Food and Drink Export Council – a partnership between His Majesty’s Government and the UK food and drink industry – from 2022-2024. He holds a number of NED positions, including as independent director at Food & Drink North East.