Voting is now open for the Industry Champion category at the International Bakery Awards 2026, giving readers the opportunity to recognise outstanding individuals demonstrating leadership, innovation and dedication to the global bakery industry.
The award celebrates the achievements of industry professionals making a lasting contribution to the sector, recognising individuals whose expertise, vision and commitment are helping to advance bakery production, education, sustainability and professional development worldwide.
Recognising Outstanding Bakery Industry Leaders
This year’s shortlist brings together four finalists representing different areas of bakery industry leadership, from artisan baking and education to fermentation science, industrial manufacturing and sustainable production.
The finalists for Industry Champion 2026 are:
Aidan Monks – Founder and Co-Owner of Lovingly Artisan Bakery, Monks has championed traditional baking techniques, ingredient transparency and sustainable sourcing since establishing the business in 2010. His achievements include developing award-winning sourdough products, supporting heritage grain cultivation and establishing a flour mill in Cumbria. Through his commitment to craftsmanship, provenance and knowledge-sharing, he continues to promote higher standards across artisan baking.
Laurent Soupiron – Group Baking Center Director at Lesaffre, Soupiron has spent more than two decades advancing fermentation science and industrial bakery innovation. Appointed to his current role in December 2025, he coordinates Lesaffre’s international network of 53 Baking Centers and 330 specialists. His contributions include patented fermentation technologies, technical training and the development of solutions that improve bakery production efficiency, product quality and shelf life.
Matthew Jones – Founder of Bread Ahead, Jones has transformed his passion for baking into an internationally recognised bakery and education business. Since establishing Bread Ahead in 2013, he has expanded its baking schools, developed professional training opportunities and made traditional baking techniques accessible to wider audiences. His Future Bakers initiative, launched in 2026, aims to provide free baking experiences to one million schoolchildren over ten years.
Xochitl Cruz – Global Vice President of Operations at Bimbo QSR, Cruz oversees more than 63 bakeries across ten international markets. With over two decades of experience at Grupo Bimbo, she has led manufacturing transformation programmes delivering improvements in efficiency, sustainability and operational performance. Her achievements include supporting a 12% reduction in water consumption, achieving a 95% waste recycling rate and championing technical education and professional development.
Together, the finalists highlight the diversity of leadership across the bakery industry and the important contributions individuals are making to technical innovation, education, sustainability and the long-term development of the sector.
Joseph Clarke, Senior Editor of International Bakery, said: “The quality and diversity of nominations we have received this year highlight the creativity, innovation and expertise driving the global bakery industry forward. From exciting new products and innovative ingredients to advanced manufacturing technologies and inspirational industry leaders, there are some exceptional achievements to recognise.
“Now it is over to our readers to decide who deserves to win from our finalists. These awards provide an opportunity for the industry to celebrate the products, solutions and individuals making a genuine contribution to the future of baking, and I would encourage everyone across the sector to get involved and cast their votes.”
Cast Your Vote Today
Voting for Industry Champion is now open here.
Readers can explore the achievements of the four shortlisted individuals before selecting the person they believe deserves this year’s award.
Voting closes on 9 November 2026.
The winner of Industry Champion will be revealed during the International Bakery Awards 2026 ceremony on Thursday, 26 November, broadcast via LinkedIn Live.
