My Wrights Journey: Sue Gwilliam

My Wrights Journey: Sue Gwilliam  

Some of Wrights’ most successful products start as a spark of inspiration, a new consumer trend or a request from a customer. Helping turn those ideas into reality is Sue Gwilliam, who has spent the past 17 years leading product innovation across the business. 

With a background as an Executive Head Chef and business owner, Sue brings a unique blend of culinary expertise and manufacturing experience to the role. As Head of Innovation, Sue leads the creation, testing and commercial launch of new products for Wrights. We sat down with her as part of our centenary celebrations to reflect on her career, the products she’s most proud of and the changes she’s witnessed during her time with the business. 

Tell us about your role at Wrights?  

“As Innovation Development Manager, my role is to stay ahead of emerging food trends and consumer demands, turning new ideas into exciting products. I work closely with our customers and internal teams to develop innovative bakery products that bring something fresh to the market and help keep Wrights at the forefront of the industry.” 

How long have you been with Wrights?  

“I’ve been with Wrights for 17 years. Prior to joining the business, I worked as an Executive Head Chef before establishing and running my own manufacturing company, supplying sweet and savoury bakery products to supermarkets and farm shops across the UK. That experience gave me a strong foundation in both product development and large-scale food production, which I’ve been able to bring to my role at Wrights, helping to develop products for customers across retail, foodservice and hospitality.” 

What made you join Wrights originally? 

“I was approached by Peter Wright, who saw an opportunity to bring my experience and expertise into the company. The chance to develop products for a well-respected family business with ambitious growth plans was something I couldn’t pass up.” 

What achievement at Wrights are you most proud of? 

“There have been many achievements I’m proud of over the years, but one that stands out is my work on the iconic Wrights Chicken Balti Pie. I developed the flavoured pastry recipe, using coriander, cumin and chilli, which is still used today and has become a defining characteristic of the product. Seeing something I created continue to be enjoyed by people all these years later gives me a real sense of pride.” 

What’s been the biggest change you’ve seen over the years? 

“The scale and growth of the business have been remarkable. During my time at Wrights, turnover has nearly quadrupled, we’ve opened a dedicated Sweet Bakery Factory and invested in additional sausage roll and cookie production lines. It’s been exciting to be part of that growth and see the business continue to invest in both its people and its capabilities.” 

What keeps you coming back to work each day?  

“The people and the passion for creating great products. I enjoy working alongside a talented team that shares the same commitment to quality and innovation, and it’s incredibly rewarding to spot products we’ve developed on shelves and menus, being enjoyed by customers across the country.” 

Is there a product you feel especially proud of working on? 

“The Chocolate Ganache Cookie is one product I’m particularly proud of. Creating a cookie with a crisp exterior and a rich, self-ganaching centre was a real technical challenge, requiring extensive development and testing. The end result delivered exactly the experience we were aiming for, which made all the effort worthwhile.” 

What does it mean to you to be part of a company celebrating 100 years? 

“Reaching a centenary is a rare achievement and reflects the dedication, resilience and commitment of everyone who has contributed to the business over the years. I feel privileged to have been part of Wrights’ journey and to have helped shape its success!” 

If you could sum up your time at Wrights in a few words, what would it be?  

“My time at Wrights has been an exciting and creative journey. I’ve had countless opportunities to experiment with new flavours and ingredients, and to incorporate emerging trends into our products. It’s been incredibly fulfilling from a creative perspective.” 

From developing products for some of the UK’s biggest food brands to helping identify the trends that will shape tomorrow’s bakery market, Sue has played an important role in driving innovation at Wrights. 

As the business celebrates 100 years, colleagues like Sue continue to build on the company’s proud heritage while helping to shape its future. Her passion for product development, creativity and continuous improvement embodies the approach that has kept Wrights evolving for a century. 

Interested in reading more stories from the people behind Wrights? Explore our centenary series featuring Michelle Edmunds and Tracey Harper.