Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to James Ajaka, CEO of Darrell Lea, about his first year running the company and what we can look forward to from Darrell Lea. We start the episode with James reviewing the highlights of his first year as CEO, the importance of balancing available resources against opportunities and the benefits being realised from efforts made by previous teams within Darrell Lea. This transitions into a discussion on the future initiatives the company is investing in and the use of research to identify new opportunities through leveraging key products. James also discusses the company's international presence and that it has significant market share of liquorice in the USA and Canada. He also compares the differing levels of COVID impact they have experienced between 2020 and 2021. We then move on to an assessment of the confectionary segment and a discussion of consumer loyalty along with their willingness to try new things. This leads to further discussion of the innovations we can expect to see, including an expansion of the Life Savers brand that Darrel Lea purchased in 2018. The episode wraps with a review of James' career in the food and beverage industry along with his views on both receiving and providing mentorship and support in his role as CEO. ------------------------------ The Food & Drink Business Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Food & Drink Business, owned and published by Yaffa Media. The views of the people featured on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Food & Drink Business, Yaffa Media, or the guest's employer. The contents are copyright by Yaffa Media. If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Food & Drink Business via their website www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au or send an email to [email protected] MC: Grant McHerron Host: Kim Berry Producer: Steve Visscher Food & Drink Business - © 2021