The CEO interview. With Ash Amirahmadi OBE, Managing Director of Arla Foods UK, and Helen Gorman, Managing Partner of Let’s Reset.
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Ash Amirahmadi OBE, Managing Director of Arla Foods UK and Chair of the boards of both Dairy UK and IGD, is not only one of our most high-profile leaders in the UK food and farming sector — He has inspired many by openly talking about his focus on mental health linking wellbeing to performance.

In the spring of 2007, Ash was diagnosed with depression. It took approximately nine months of constant support from all directions before he was confident that his mental illness was something that he was overcoming.

During this in-depth conversation, Ash and Helen will talk about how modern leaders focus on the energy, wellbeing and performance of their people with a focus on Ash’s business and personal story. The conversation will cover the challenges facing the sustainability of farming, how to develop brands in generic categories and the way that they work with and support communities. As well as Ash’s personal journey through depression, how he has talked openly and authentically in the workplace and the strategies he uses to focus on his own wellbeing to improve his business performance

Helen will be discussing the following with Ash Amirahmadi OBE:

1. The impact Ash Amirahmadi has had on feeding our country, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, how he approached this and coped while he, too, was living through the pandemic.
2. The major role Ash has played since being appointed to the Government’s Food Resilience Industry Forum, taking part in discussions with Defra, Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, the Department for Transport and others over issues relating to food security and the UK’s sustainability goals.
3. The scale of Arla Foods (total of 9,000 farmers, with almost 7,000 of them based outside of the UK and across Europe)
4. Reflecting on 2007 when Ash spoke out about his mental wellbeing — dealing with depression. When he first noticed his mental health was challenged and what inspired him to talk openly about his journey with depression.
5. The reaction/support he received. The balance of looking after oneself and managing responsibilities.
6. Being awarded with an OBE — the journey from hearing of the honour to receiving the OBE and what it means to Ash.
7. Advice to others that are struggling with their mental health. How measuring energy and wellbeing can directly link to increased performance. View Less