What 30 Years in Food Retail Taught Me About Success (and Sanity) with Gail Paddy

From teenage cake-decorating dreams to director-level influence in UK food retail, Gail Paddy’s story is proof that passion and perseverance can pave even the most unexpected career paths. Amy and Gail kick off with the early days—how a love for food (and some bold moves at 15) led Gail into food science and retail, despite the lack of clear opportunities. Their chat highlights just how much breadth exists in food retail; Gail shares how cycling through departments like commercial, marketing, and product development built her expertise, gave her empathy for other teams, and set her up for leadership. Amy and Gail don’t shy away from the realities: retail is fast, full-on, and sometimes overwhelming—not just for those inside it, but for manufacturers and suppliers on the outside looking in. But what gets you through? According to Gail, it’s a strong sense of camaraderie, embracing change, grounding innovation in customer insight (not just “big ideas”), and, yes, learning to ask for help or make life easier (hello, cleaner and ironing service hacks!). Gail gets real about the challenges of being a female leader, raising a family, and ditching the guilt that comes with “dropping a ball”—pointing out that it’s all about focusing on what matters in the moment, not chasing perfection.  She also candidly discusses her shift from the corporate world into consultancy and coaching, revealing how the best leaders aren’t those with all the answers, but those who ask the right questions and stay open to challenge. Whether you’re a retail insider, a supplier trying to understand the madness, or someone considering a leap into food, this episode is a goldmine of practical advice, myth-busting, and encouragement to be bold, ask for what you need, and never be afraid to reach out for a chat (retail directors aren’t as scary as you think!). Timestamps [00:00:00] Gail shares her philosophy: everyone has the answers inside them, it’s about asking the right questions [00:01:43] How Gail’s food career truly began—pursuing passion over a mapped-out plan [00:04:54] Early retail lessons, the value of cross-functional moves, and the realities of commercial decision making [00:08:32] Why commercial grounding matters—even the best ideas need to make business sense [00:10:46] Senior leadership, supplier perceptions, and the shift away from “director as god” thinking [00:15:07] Balancing leadership and parenting: the myth of having it all, partner teamwork, and letting go of guilt [00:23:34] Outsource what you can: saving time, energy, and mental health [00:24:35] What suppliers don’t always see: the chaos and rapid-fire decision making of retail [00:27:41] Launching a product in 10 days: agile ways of working and teamwork in retail [00:29:00] Why retail (and the food industry) is a brilliant but “love-it-or-hate-it” career [00:31:29] Transitioning from retail director to consultant, coach, and mentor—finding joy in giving back [00:35:05] Flexibility, giving back to the industry, and seeing the positive impacts of coaching [00:37:09] What’s next for Gail: consulting, coaching, Fearless Foodies collaboration, and staying open to new opportunities [00:39:21] Wrapping up: connecting with Gail, key takeaways, and a reminder that even retail directors are only huma   Links and Resources: Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation. Microsearch Laboratories sponsor the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/