Gretta Ryan

Head of People Development

Gretta Ryan serves as the Head of People Development for Management Development Services (MDS). She brings 10+ years of experience in leading training programs and a passion for cultivating talent and driving organisational success. Her background in training, sales and project management coupled with an understanding of the food industry enables her to empower individuals throughout the organisation to grow professionally.

In her role, Gretta oversees the delivery of third-party training programmes as part of a government-led apprenticeship scheme, welcoming up to 70 trainees per year on 2-year programmes that involve placements in the UK, Europe and South America. Under her leadership, the training function has grown to include two People Development Officers to manage day-to-day operations.

Gretta holds a comprehensive knowledge of industry trends, regulations, and best practices, enabling her to provide valuable insights and guidance to individuals at all levels of the organisation. She understands the challenges faced by food industry professionals including front-line managers and executives, and her commitment to continuous learning and development ensures that MDS’s training programs remain cutting-edge and aligned with industry demands.

Gretta fosters a positive and inclusive work culture that promotes collaboration and personal growth. She builds strong relationships with stakeholders including major retailers, agricultural and chemical multinationals, and food producers whilst delivering learning solutions that enable trainees to excel.

Before joining MDS, Gretta advised SME clients on strategic business planning and restructuring as an independent consultant. She also designed and led projects to drive improvements in recruitment, training and resource management.

Gretta is a fully accredited MBTI Practitioner and actively participates in industry conferences and professional development programs to stay at the forefront of trends and emerging practices in people development and management training.