The future is now, but we are always looking forward
02 June 2025IGD is driving change in the UK food system uniting industry, launching bold initiatives, and helping to shape a resilient, sustainable future.
Sarah Bradbury
CEO, IGD
I feel incredibly privileged to lead an organisation like IGD that is dedicated to bringing thought leadership and uniting the food system to tackle some of the most important issues of our time. The challenges facing the food industry are coming faster and are more complex than ever before. At IGD, we're not just keeping up, we're stepping up and going further and faster to tackle these challenges.
Exciting new actions: Conference and Away From Home
I'm pleased to share some exciting news. We're hosting our inaugural flagship event, the Future of the UK Food System, a one-day conference on Wednesday, 1 October 2025, at The Brewery, London. This event will bring together over 500 delegates from across the UK food and grocery sector to explore the actions needed to create a more sustainable, resilient, and thriving food system.
In addition to that, we’re launching our first new product in 15 years, Away from Home (AFH), this July. This new ‘Away from Home’ proposition is a game-changer, supporting the entire food supply chain and unlocking a further third of the total food and drink market value at a time when growth is challenging.
In looking to help support the industry and bring about long-term resilience and the changes needed to have a thriving food system sees our work as co-secretariat for the Food Strategy Advisory Board, supporting the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as pivotal to drive much needed change. We've been proactively engaging across the food system, acting as a neutral convenor, and leveraging our charitable status and commitment to public benefit.
Our core: Insights, foresights, strategy, and learning
However, our work at IGD is so much more. It revolves around four key pillars: insights, foresights, strategy, and learning. Our insights put us at the shelf edge, in the shoes of customers, to help suppliers and retailers. This expertise allows us to paint a picture of the future and benchmark capability versus future needs. We then help organisations develop the strategy to reach that future state and enable them to upskill and deliver through a future-fit workforce.
A Legacy of Nearly 120 Years
Founded nearly 120 years ago, our core mission is as vital as ever. No single company can resolve these issues alone; collaboration is key, and IGD is collaborating to make it happen. We're ever mindful of the important role we play in understanding the economy and forecasting for the future.
New brand and website
We've launched a new brand and website, reflecting how we're accelerating to meet the industry's needs. This new look is just one part of our commitment to future-proofing the food system, ensuring it can react to shocks and economic impacts, and maintaining a resilient food system for all.
Watch this space—there's more to come! Recent events have underscored the urgent need for meaningful industry collaboration. Throughout IGD, we're witnessing significant progress as businesses come together to drive systemic change and ensure a sustainable future for the UK food system. We welcome the Government's assertion that "food security is national security." We believe food security must now be prioritised, bringing government, business, and the public together to drive much needed progress. The upcoming food strategy needs to be the start of this journey.
Join us on this journey
We’re excited about the future, and we want you to be a part of it! Stay informed about the latest updates, events, and insights by signing up for our newsletter. Together, we can unite and inspire progress towards a thriving food system for all.