Championing Wellbeing at JJ Foodservice

At JJ Foodservice, people are at the heart of everything we do – and few embody that more than Sushmitha Venkatesh, our HR Co-ordinator and nominee for the FWD Wholesale Star Award.

Since joining JJ in 2021, Sushmitha has transformed the employee experience with initiatives that combine empathy and measurable impact. Her journey began when two colleagues experienced seizures at work. Recognising a gap in awareness, she became JJ’s in-house epilepsy specialist, delivering one-to-one training across branches and creating customised wellbeing plans for employees. Today, managers and staff feel confident and equipped to respond safely, and plans are underway to roll this out company wide.

But her commitment doesn’t stop there. Sushmitha introduced JJ’s first Wellbeing Plan, replacing traditional 'off sick' processes with proactive support. Employees on sick leave receive regular check-ins, mental health resources, and flexible arrangements — helping them return under a ‘wellness’ approach rather than compliance. 

“She doesn’t just implement policy; she transforms the way people experience HR,” says Joanna Florczak, Head of HR. “Her proactive, empathetic approach has helped managers and colleagues feel supported, capable, and motivated.”

Beyond HR, Sushmitha champions community and diversity. She shaped JJ’s volunteering policy, giving staff one paid day a month to support causes like Fare Share and The Felix Project. She also tutors underprivileged students and assists blind learners at university exams – all while advocating for gender representation through the FWD’s Women in Wholesale initiative.

Her work delivers tangible business benefits: happier, healthier teams mean better service for customers and stronger operational performance. As Joanna adds, “Her impact is real — employees are more confident and effective, and that reflects in the service we deliver.” Her dedication sets a benchmark for inclusion and care at JJ Foodservice — and we couldn’t be prouder to spotlight her achievements. It’s no surprise she has is a finalist for a FWD Gold Medal Award in the Wholesale Star Category – good luck Sushmitha!