Alberto Casotto
Glenmavis
Summary
I'm an experienced founder and food innovator with a track record of building and scaling a plant-based food brand from the ground up. At Sgaia, I led product development, operations, team management, and commercial growth—creating award-winning vegan products that reached retail, foodservice, and D2C channels across the UK and internationally, including exports to Europe and New Zealand. I represented the brand at major trade shows and drove strategic partnerships with leading retailers and restaurants. Known for my lateral thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, I thrive in fast-paced environments, deliver under pressure and tight deadlines, and take full accountability for results. My approach combines creativity, commercial insight, and hands-on leadership to build resilient, innovative businesses.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
year of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Director
Sgaia Foods Ltd
Glasgow
07.2015 - 05.2025
Director & Founder – Sgaia foods
2015–2025
Built and scaled a multi-award-winning plant-based food company from concept to national distribution. Led all facets of the business including manufacturing, R&D, operations, business development, and brand strategy.
- Manufacturing & Operations: Established a fully accredited (SALSA) in-house facility, scaling from artisanal production to national retail supply. Oversaw end-to-end operations, team management, and production optimisation.
- Product Innovation: Pioneered a new wave of plant-based meat innovation ahead of mainstream trends—developing award-winning products like vegan streaky bacon and egg alternatives that redefined expectations in the category. Helped shift the market away from bland substitutes toward exciting, high quality, chef-driven alternatives, inspiring a wave of imitation from emerging brands.
- Business Development: Secured retail listings with Whole Foods, Selfridges, and top independents. Built strong B2B and D2C channels, negotiated key partnerships, and grew long-term commercial relationships.
- Brand & Creative Direction: Defined brand vision and led creative execution across all touchpoints. Produced photography, video, and design assets that gained national media exposure (BBC, The Guardian).
- Leadership & Strategy: Blended strategic insight with hands-on leadership, driving sustainable growth, cross-functional alignment, and operational excellence in a highly competitive market.
Camera Department – Film & Media
Self employed
London
08.2011 - 07.2015
Worked as part of the camera crew on a range of productions—from independent films and music videos to large-scale Hollywood features. Supported cinematographers and camera operators in delivering high-quality visual storytelling, gaining experience with professional equipment, set protocols, and fast-paced creative environments.
Education
Certificate of Higher Education - Business management
SF&D
Glasgow, Glasgow City 01.2022 - 06.2022
Certificate of Higher Education - Management
Scottish enterprise
glasgow 04.2019 - 07.2019
Skills
2015–2024 UK
Innovative leader with end-to-end experience in food manufacturing, product development, operations, brand strategy, and business growth within the fast-moving plant-based space Founded and scaled Sgaia from a small-batch kitchen into a SALSA-accredited manufacturing facility supplying D2C, retail such as Selfridges and Wholefoods, and foodservice—including Wagamama and multiple restaurant chains Pioneered award-winning vegan products that helped redefine the UK category and attracted attention from major supermarkets
Key Skills & Achievements:
Food Manufacturing & Operations
- Built and scaled a vertically integrated production facility from scratch, supporting both artisanal quality and commercial growth
- Achieved SALSA accreditation; embedded robust food safety, compliance, and quality control systems
- Developed and refined efficient workflows, reducing waste and improving unit economics
- Oversaw procurement, inventory, logistics, staff management, and fulfilment across B2B and D2C channels
R&D & Product Innovation
- Led concept-to-launch development of unique plant-based products, including the UK's first vegan streaky bacon and a high-performing vegan egg
- Created award-winning, allergen-friendly formulations that were gluten-free, nut-free, and fully vegan—balancing innovation, nutrition, and scale
- Transformed food trends into commercially successful products ahead of market curves
Commercial Growth & Business Development
- Secured listings with Whole Foods Market, Selfridges, and premium independents
- Drove market entry into foodservice, including national rollouts with Wagamama and other chains
- Personally pitched to all major UK supermarkets, generating strong buyer interest
- Built long-term partnerships across retail, wholesale, and hospitality sectors
- Launched and scaled a successful e-commerce channel, including subscriptions and curated product boxes
Leadership & Strategic Thinking
- Recruited, trained, and led cross-functional teams spanning production, logistics, creative, and sales
- Navigated operational challenges with agility, ensuring consistent product delivery and customer satisfaction
- Brought a founder's mindset—combining vision with execution—to every aspect of business strategy
Brand Building & Storytelling
- Defined and led the creative and strategic direction of a values-driven brand
- Produced standout visual content—photography, packaging, video—for digital, retail, and media use
- Gained widespread media recognition including BBC, The Guardian, and national press
- Sgaia was recognised with multiple PETA innovation awards, cementing its leadership in the plant-based category
Affiliations
- Photography & video
- Cooking
- Sports
- Music
- Self-development training and books
Accomplishments
- PETA Vegan Food Awards – Multiple wins for innovation, including:
Best Vegan Bacon (for Sgaia's streaky bacon)
Best Vegan Egg Alternative - SALSA Accreditation – Achieved for high standards in food safety and production
- Media Features – Brand featured in BBC , The Guardian , and major national newspapers
- Retail Recognition – Secured listings with Whole Foods Market , Selfridges , and other premium retailers
- Foodservice Success – Selected by Wagamama and other restaurant chains for nationwide rollout
Certification
- SALSA Accreditation – Led company to achieve and maintain SALSA certification for food safety and quality standards
- HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) – Trained in food manufacturing safety and quality control procedures
- Accelerating Growth Programme – Commercial strategy course focused on category planning, mentoring, and FMCG business scaling
- Leadership & Management Training – Covered team empowerment, communication, performance management, and innovation culture
- Export & Trade Readiness Training – Gained insights into international compliance, logistics, and market entry strategy
Languages
English
Fluent
Italian
Native
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Certificate of Higher Education - Business management
SF&D
01.2022 - 06.2022
Certificate of Higher Education - Management
Scottish enterprise
04.2019 - 07.2019
Director
Sgaia Foods Ltd
07.2015 - 05.2025
Camera Department – Film & Media
Self employed
08.2011 - 07.2015
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