event

IGD Future of the UK Food System 2026

21 October 2026, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM BST

The Brewery, 52 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SD

Future of the UK Food System 2026: “All stakeholders need to step up”

A summary of IGD’s Future of the UK Food System 2026 conference, capturing the key discussions, insights and calls for collective action.

One day. One room. The food system leaders shaping what’s next.

Understand the forces reshaping UK food and leave with practical actions to drive growth, resilience and positive impact in your organisation.

In 2025 our event brought together over 500 professionals working across retail, manufacturing, foodservice, supply chain, health, sustainability, workforce and investment.

Attend to:

  • Understand where future growth will come from

  • Explore the decisions shaping health, resilience, productivity and investment

  • Hear how industry leaders are turning ambition into action

  • Build connections across the organisations shaping the future of UK food

What you’ll leave with

  • A clearer view of how health and consumer demand are changing the market

  • Insight into growth, productivity and competitiveness across UK food

  • Practical perspectives on agriculture, resilience and supply chain pressure

  • Ideas for building the workforce and skills needed for the future

  • A sharper understanding of how investment, innovation and collaboration can unlock progress

2025 Testimonials

"IGD has convened the most senior group of speakers in all of the events I attended in 2025, speaking uncomfortable truth and yet getting us to still be optimistic about the future."

Dr Isabel DiVanna

Carbon Trust

"Prof Chris Whitty was a particular highlight. Brought to life the medical view but in an understandable way!"

Catherine Johnson

Red Bull

"IGD has set a new high standard for industry conferences!"

Bas Padberg

Arla Foods

"Probably one of the best conferences I have been to."

Donald Webb

Brookdale Consulting

"This is THE leading conference for the UK food system"

David Read

Prestige Purchasing

"This event provoked a huge amount of food for thought, immediate follow ups and an energy to be part of the solution both on personal front as well as in my role."

Heather Thomas

Co-op

“An incredibly inspiring day and so important that IGD are spearheading this critical agenda for the UK”

Roy Horgan

CEO, VusionGroup (speaker and event partner)

“I think it was one of, if not the most well organised food conference I’ve been to. Preparation beforehand was first class and the event spoke for itself. Particularly the quality of speakers and delegates.”

Baroness Minette Batters

MD, Barford Park LTD (speaker)

“Congrats on putting together an event bringing together many of the key actors. Good conversations had. Now to keep the momentum!”

James Mayer

President Danone (speaker)

“It was a really great event. All killer no filler, as they say!”

Jacqui Parr

The Grocer

"I thought the day was very well planned with some excellent speakers and thought-provoking sessions and topics. Given all the challenges we have navigated over the last few years and the challenges ahead the timing and ambition of the event was very well received.”

Rob Hutchison

CEO, Muller

“I thought the day was spot on in terms of positioning and content with so much of it resonating at an industry, business and personal level for me.”

Ross Dennison

Technical Director, Bakkavor

"A great opportunity to hear from a mix of larger and smaller suppliers, as well as from a leading retailer, all talking about Category Visions, Strategies, and engagement. Also an interesting look to the future with sessions on AI and data automation."

Category Development Director

Natural Balance Foods

"Really good day, well organised and good fun."

Insight Manager

Pilgrims Europe

"The presence and speeches by retailers were excellent, so insightful!"

Director of Sales - Category and Trade Solutions Europe

SC Johnson Europe

New for 2026: from ambition to action at scale

This year’s programme focuses on the conditions needed to accelerate progress across health, growth, resilience and talent, from confidence and innovation to investment and collaboration.

Become an event partner

Interested in our event partnership opportunities? Get in touch!

Future of Food vodcast

Watch our new Future of Food vodcast, focusing on resilience, for a taste of what's to come at the 2026 event.

Ash Amirahmadi OBE

Ash Amirahmadi OBE

CEO, Sofina Foods Europe

Ash Amirahmadi OBE is Chief Executive Officer of Sofina Foods Europe, one of Europe's leading multi-protein food manufacturers, employing around 8,000 people across the UK, Ireland, Germany and France. Before joining Sofina in 2023, he spent over 20 years at Arla Foods UK, serving in several senior leadership roles, including Managing Director. 

Ash has also chaired Dairy UK and IGD and played a key role in industry and government discussions on food resilience, security and sustainability. He was awarded an OBE in 2023 for services to the dairy industry and received the RABDF Princess Royal Award in 2024. 

Dr Clive Black

Dr Clive Black

Director, Shore Capital

Dr. Clive Black is the Vice Chairman, Founding Director and Head of Consumer of Shore Capital Markets (SCM), having served as Head of Research from 2003 to 2022. Before Shore Capital, he was a Director at ING Charterhouse Securities/Charterhouse Tilney and held key roles at Northern Foods plc and Head of Food Policy at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).  

In 2012, Dr. Black was named City AM’s Analyst of the Year, nominated too in 2025 having many survey accreditations. He also serves as a Non-Executive Director of The Community Shop. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Queen’s University, Belfast and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Hilary Clinton for services to the agri-food industry in Northern Ireland in 2024.   

Sarah Bradbury

Sarah Bradbury

CEO, IGD

Sarah brings over 25 years of unparalleled experience in the retail and food sectors.  Currently, she leads IGD, an influential organisation that has been helping to inspire and unite the food industry for more than 120 years. IGD is a strategic insights and foresight business, reinvesting all profits into impactful initiatives that benefit both the industry and society at large.   

Throughout her career, Sarah has held senior commercial and marketing positions, including her previous role as Group Quality Director at Tesco. There, she was responsible for overseeing the delivery of high-quality safe products, sustainability, agriculture and regulatory compliance. It was in this role that Sarah honed her passion for driving collaborative change, mobilising the food and consumer goods sectors as a force for good, and working to improve the food system for the long term.  

Natasha Burgon

Natasha Burgon

Director for Health Improvement, Department of Health & Social Care

Natasha is Director for Health Improvement covering diet, obesity, physical activity, tobacco, alcohol, gambling and the drugs strategy. Natasha was previously Director for diet, obesity and healthy behaviours. Prior to her Director role Natasha was the PPS to the Health Secretary. 

Erica Chamberlain

Erica Chamberlain

Head of Strategic Business Partnerships, The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC)

Erica works for the national body for careers education, The Careers & Enterprise Company.  Leading on their work with employers, sectors, and business bodies, ensuring employers can work effectively with the education sector to address organisational, sectoral, local, and national skills needs. Erica led the development of The Employer Standards for Careers Education, a framework and free self-assessment that supports employers to improve the impact of their careers outreach. 

Erica joined the company from Citi, where she worked in the Community Development team focused on maximizing employee volunteering and giving.  Prior to this Erica was a Director for an East London charity, focused on social mobility and community wellbeing. 

Kimberely Chapman

Kimberely Chapman

Director of Learning, IGD

Kimberley has over 20 years’ experience in the retail sector, specialising in driving large-scale cultural and operational transformation. Currently Director of Learning & Development Programmes at IGD, she is developing learning offers that support the grocery industry in building a future-fit workforce. She has a proven track record of embedding cultural change and building high-performing teams. She is passionate about developing people, embedding lasting change, and delivering sustainable business results.  

Meinir Childs

Meinir Childs

Chief Operating Officer, Argos

Meinir Childs is Chief Operating Officer at Argos, leading operations across stores, fulfilment centres, logistics, supply chain and support functions. With more than 25 years’ experience in consumer goods, retail, supply chain & logistics, she has a strong track record in delivering large-scale transformation, operational excellence and sustainable business performance. 

Since joining the Sainsbury’s Group, Meinir has held senior leadership roles including Supply Chain Director before becoming COO of Argos. Earlier in her career, she spent over 20 years with Coca-Cola European Partners in UK & European leadership roles. She is passionate about developing high-performing teams and driving positive change across the industry. 

Matt Clarke

Matt Clarke

Partner, EY

Matt Clarke is a Partner at EY, specialising in AI strategy and transformation. He helps organisations turn AI ambition into commercial results, creating competitive advantage and unlocking growth opportunities. With more than 25 years’ experience in technology leadership, board-level advisory and complex programme delivery, he advises businesses on improving productivity, cost efficiency and the value of technology investments.

Previously a Managing Director and Partner at BCG, Matt led Retail Technology globally, advising organisations on technology strategy, e-commerce and large-scale transformation. His experience also includes leading the commerce technology practice at Deloitte Digital, executive leadership roles at Amaze and serving as CIO at Royal Mail. Matt combines strategic insight with practical delivery expertise to help organisations drive growth, productivity and lasting transformation.

Sarah Cletheroe

Sarah Cletheroe

Student, University of Nottingham

Sarah Cletheroe is a third-year Nutrition and Dietetics student at the University of Nottingham. She is a youth leader at the YouthxFood Hub. She also has experience developing food policy recommendations and has contributed to potato variety development, bringing both a policy and applied science lens to youth led food systems work. 

Roisin Currie CBE

Roisin Currie CBE

CEO, Greggs

Roisin Currie has been Chief Executive of Greggs since May 2022, having joined the business in 2010 as Group People Director. She subsequently held a number of senior leadership roles, including Retail Operations and People Director, and Retail and Property Director. Prior to Greggs, she spent 20 years with Asda in a range of people and operational leadership positions. 

Alongside her executive role, Roisin serves as an independent Non-Executive Director of Howdens. She chairs the Employers Forum for Reducing Re-offending, is a trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and was awarded a CBE in 2025 for services to hospitality. 

Tom Curtis

Tom Curtis

Co-Founder, 3Keel

Tom is a founder of 3Keel, consistently recognised by the Financial Times as one of the UK’s leading sustainability consultancies. He also founded 3Keel’s Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs) programme, which operates internationally and helps businesses share the cost of building resilience in the landscapes on which they depend.  With a background in forestry and mixed farming, Tom is a non-executive director of The Green Estate CIC and sits on the organising committee for Food and Farming Consultations at St George’s House, Windsor.

Briana Daison

Briana Daison

Graduate, Premier Foods

I am a graduate operations engineer passionate about improving processes, solving operational challenges, and driving continuous improvement. I work across teams to analyse performance, identify efficiencies, and support the delivery of safe, reliable, and effective operations. Through data-driven decision making and hands on problem solving, I contribute to improving operational performance while developing my engineering and leadership skills.

Shane Dorsett

Shane Dorsett

Chief Operating Officer, Felix

Shane Dorsett is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Felix. He oversees the extensive supply chain and logistics operation that rescues hundreds of tons of surplus food weekly, delivering millions of meals to people facing food insecurity. He joined the charity in 2019 as a Project Consultant as Felix joined the National network and built The Felix Kitchen ultimately becoming the Director of Operations before becoming COO. In his tenure, he has scaled infrastructure to manage a fleet of over 60 vehicles and spearheaded the launch of Felix Bakes and the innovative Felix Food Factory.

The Rt Hon Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP

The Rt Hon Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Dame Angela Eagle DBE was appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 20 July 2026. She has previously held the following ministerial roles: Minister of State at the Home Office (Security Minister) and the Cabinet Office (12 June 2026 to 20 July 2026), Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (6 September 2025 to 12 June 2026), and Minister for Border Security and Asylum at the Home Office (8 July 2024 to 6 September 2025). She was elected as the MP for Wallasey in the general election of July 2024.

Gordon Gafa

Gordon Gafa

UK Food Managing Director, Tesco

Gordon Gafa was appointed UK Food Managing Director at Tesco in June 2025, with responsibility for Fresh Food, Packaged Goods, Fuel & Tobacco, as well as Commercial Operations and Supply Chain. Since joining Tesco in 2011, he has held a series of senior commercial roles, including Commercial Director for Packaged Goods, Director of Trading at Booker Fresh Food, Commodities Director and Bakery Category Director. 

With more than 27 years' commercial experience across retail and FMCG, Gordon has built expertise spanning sourcing, trading and category management. He holds an honours degree in Business and relocated from Malta to the UK in 2008. 

Eleanor Harrison OBE

Eleanor Harrison OBE

Fairtrade Foundation, CEO

Eleanor is a visionary changemaker and strategist who brings with her 20 years of experience leading purpose-driven organisations.

She was previously CEO of Impetus, a venture philanthropy nonprofit improving social outcomes and scaling impact for young people facing disadvantage.

She has received widespread recognition for her achievements. In 2016, she received the Order of the British Empire for Services to International Development. In her role as Chief Executive of online platform GlobalGiving UK, she utilised her entrepreneurial drive and commercial acumen to disrupt traditional aid and accelerate community-led change.

Eleanor has also held several leadership roles in international NGOs, including running a Kenyan NGO for five years supporting children and their families to build better lives for themselves.

Harshal Gore

Harshal Gore

Director of Workforce and Economics, IGD

Harshal is Director of Workforce and Economics at IGD, where he leads work workforce strategy, and industry collaboration across the food sector. Previously, he served at Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as Head of Strategy and Engagement for circular economy programmes, driving cross-sector initiatives to support implementation of new packaging reforms. Earlier in his career, Harshal spent over 20 years at GS1 in the UK and Canada, holding executive roles focused on digital transformation, supply chain innovation, and sustainability. His work spanned both global and UK markets, partnering with industry leaders to deliver large-scale, collaborative solutions. He brings a unique combination of public policy, industry leadership, and international experience to workforce and economic challenges facing the sector today. 

Helen Herniman

Helen Herniman

CEO, AHDB

Helen Herniman joined AHDB as CEO in January 2026. Her mission is to help AHDB’s experts support farmers, growers and others in the food supply chain to make informed decisions that support productivity and profitability. Helen has spent her career working in both the public and private sectors, most recently as acting CEO of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, as well as Chief Finance Officer at the Law Society. With a strong foundation in finance and accounting, Helen is committed to ensuring levy payers receive value for money from AHDB’s products, tools and services. 

Elle Hopper

Elle Hopper

Graduate, Asda

Originally from Lancashire, Eleanor studied Exercise Science at Loughborough University before discovering her passion for retail through graduate opportunities inspired by her mum’s successful career at Greggs. Joining Asda’s Retail Graduate Scheme, she quickly embraced opportunities across store operations, online retail and non-food leadership, gaining experience in executive visits, divisional forums and a major store refit project. More recently, Eleanor moved into the People team, partnering senior leaders and driving people-related change across the business, while studying towards her CIPD Level 5 qualification. Passionate about learning and growth, she thrives on stepping outside her comfort zone and building a rewarding retail career

Tara McCarthy

Tara McCarthy

Global Vice President of ESG, Alltech

Tara McCarthy is the global vice president of ESG at Alltech, where she supports the company's purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™. Previously, she served as the chief executive officer of Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, and as the chief executive officer of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s seafood development agency. In 2019, she co-founded Agdif, an organization that champions diversity in the Irish food industry. 

McCarthy holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and a master’s degree in business studies from University College Dublin's Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. She is also an affiliate of IMD Business School in Switzerland.

Lauren Mistry

Lauren Mistry

Deputy CEO of Youth Employment UK

As deputy CEO of Youth Employment UK Lauren leads our strategies on research, insight and best practice across youth and business audiences. She’s passionate about ensuring all young people get the resources they need to understand and support their best next steps and that accessible, quality opportunities are available. 

Lauren leads Youth Employment UK’s annual Youth Voice Census, the largest survey of its kind. Additionally, she is leading Youth Employment UK’s work to launch a first-of-its-kind evidence-based Good Youth Employment Benchmark this year, which will change how employers understand and plan their youth employment strategies across the UK. 

Chris Mitchell

Chris Mitchell

Co-Founder of Bramble Partners

Chris Mitchell is a co-founder of Bramble Partners and Managing Partner of Bramble Intelligence. Previously Chris had a career in strategy consulting at Bain & Company and BCG in London, Johannesburg and Nairobi.

Jim O'Toole

Jim O'Toole

CEO, Bord Bia (The Irish Food Board)

Jim O'Toole was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Bord Bia, The Irish Food Board, in November 2022, following five years as CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland's Seafood Development Agency. 

Prior to this, he held several senior leadership roles at Bord Bia, including leading the development of Origin Green, the world's first national food and drink sustainability programme. He also spent 15 years leading Bord Bia's international operations across London, Milan and Paris. 

Jim is a Board Member of the Irish National Accreditation Board and holds a Master's degree in Agricultural Science from University College Dublin. 

Jonathan Opoku-Anokye

Jonathan Opoku-Anokye

Paralegal Apprentice, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)

I am currently a Paralegal Apprentice at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), where I am gaining practical experience in the legal profession alongside my apprenticeship training. I am a member of the Careers & Enterprise Company’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG), where I advocate for greater equality of opportunity for young people and work to ensure youth voices are reflected in careers education and policy.

My experiences in careers education, work experience, and now employment have shown me the value of accessible opportunities in helping young people understand different career pathways and develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to pursue them. I am passionate about helping employers better understand how they can support young people by creating inclusive opportunities, listening to youth voices, and removing barriers that can prevent talented individuals from reaching their full potential.

Bas Padberg

Bas Padberg

Managing Director, Arla Foods UK

Bas has spent more than a decade as a senior executive in Arla Foods. His career spans 30 years, working with some of the world’s best known consumer brands.

Bas is currently responsible for driving the growth of Arla in the UK, the company’s biggest market with a revenue of over £3m and some of the biggest food brands in the country. As a farmer-owned cooperative, Bas is responsible for overseeing Arla’s 2,000 farmers alongside the commercial delivery and operations that see it supply milk and dairy products to the UK’s supermarkets and foodservice outlets.

Bas is passionate about driving the health and sustainability agenda ‘hand in hand’. Outside of his role at Arla, he is currently chair of the Dairy Roadmap, a cross-industry platform that drives sustainability progress across the entire dairy value chain.

Throughout his time at Arla, he has also been the regional head for South East Asia and managing director of Arla’s business in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

Dalton Philips

Dalton Philips

CEO, Greencore

Dalton joined Greencore as CEO in September 2022. Raised on a family poultry farm in Ireland, he holds a BA from University College Dublin, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and an honorary Doctorate of Management from Bradford University.  

His executive career includes CEO of daa plc, the global airports and travel retail group, CEO of Wm Morrison plc (then a FTSE 100 company and the UK's fourth largest supermarket), CEO of Brown Thomas Group, and COO of Loblaw Companies Ltd. in Canada. Dalton also served as a senior advisor to the Boston Consulting Group. He started his career with Jardine Matheson, followed by Walmart.  

Matt Quinn

Matt Quinn

Head of Group Customer Experience, Marketing and Commercial, Brambles

Recently appointed as Head of Group Customer Experience, Marketing and Commercial, Matt is responsible for strengthening Brambles' Group Brand and Marketing and Group Customer Experience capabilities, focused on driving commercial excellence across the organisation.

Prior to this appointment, Matt served as Digital Business Building Transformation Lead, where he played a key role in scaling Brambles' Digital Customer Solutions (DCS) business and leading its commercial growth. He was responsible for developing and delivering innovative digital solutions that help customers create more efficient, agile and sustainable supply chains.

Throughout his career at CHEP and Brambles, Matt has held a number of senior leadership positions, including Business Development Director in South Africa, General Manager India, Customer Partnerships Director for CHEP Northern Europe, and Vice President Northern Europe.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in Business Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Leo Rayman

Leo Rayman

CEO & Founder, EdenLab

Every leader knows the food system has to change. The hard part is finding room to lead it while running businesses that feed the nation. Leo Rayman founded EdenLab to create that room. EdenLab is a growth practice for retail and manufacturing leaders as GLP-1s, climate volatility and AI reshape demand and supply together. Its Deep Dive acceleration sprints find growth hidden in health and climate disruption, and adaptive intelligence keeps strategy on track. Leo founded a global consultancy for WPP, is a Carbon13 domain expert, and holds an Oxford MA and completed the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership executive programme. 

Simon Roberts CBE

Simon Roberts CBE

CEO, Sainsbury's

Simon Roberts is Chief Executive Officer of J Sainsbury PLC (Sainsbury’s) which includes Sainsbury’s, Argos, Nectar, Tu Clothing, habitat and Sainsbury’s Bank. He has over 35 years’ retail sector experience, having started his career on the shop floor, and was most recently Executive Vice President of Walgreens Boots Alliance and President of Boots UK and Ireland. Since joining Sainsbury’s in 2017 as Retail & Operations Director, Simon has championed a people-first, purpose-driven approach, placing colleagues, customers, and communities at the heart of the business.

Nicola Robinson

Nicola Robinson

Director, Alliance Food Sourcing

Nicola Robinson has over 25 years' experience across the food, drink and retail sectors, holding executive, commercial and marketing leadership roles with organisations including Mondelez, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Kettle Foods and Tesco. Most recently, she served as Tesco's Health, Beauty & Wellness Category Director, leading through Brexit, Covid and the cost-of-living crisis. 

She has also run her own consultancy, supporting globally recognised brands with strategic transformation, organisational development and capability-building programmes. 

In 2024, Nicola was appointed Director of Alliance Food Sourcing, a collaboration between IGD, FareShare and The Felix Project, focused on increasing surplus food redistribution and tackling food insecurity across the UK. 

Robert Sheasby

Robert Sheasby

Chief Executive, Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC)

Robert Sheasby is the Chief Executive of the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), the trade association representing agricultural businesses in the UK. He has extensive experience from a career in agriculture, having held many roles within the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) before joining AIC in 2018. Earlier in his career, he also worked as a land agent and auctioneer.  

In his role, Robert sits on several government stakeholder groups, including the Department for International Trade (DIT) Trade Advisory Group for agriculture and food, and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) Farming and Food Partnership Board. He also has overall responsibility for the operation of AIC.  

Hannah Skeggs

Hannah Skeggs

Head of Health, IGD

Hannah Skeggs is Senior Health & Sustainable Diets Manager at IGD. She is a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr), with an MSc in Health Promotion and Behaviour Change. She works across industry and policy, convening food system stakeholders to translate evidence into practical, scalable solutions for healthier and more sustainable diets.

Rose Stokes

Rose Stokes

Freelance Journalist

Rose Stokes is a journalist writing on women’s lives, bodies and health for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Women’s Health UK and Metro, with recent Guardian longforms on the GLP-1 boom and on chronic iron deficiency. She started at The Economist before going freelance, and won the Sheila McKechnie Foundation’s Consumer Campaign of the Year in 2022 for a national campaign to cut the cost of the morning-after pill. She created and co-hosts A Matter of Fat with Cambridge obesity scientist Professor Giles Yeo MBE — a Guardian Podcast of the Week, which reached number seven in Apple’s Health & Fitness chart.

Maha Tahiri

Maha Tahiri

Founder, S2BGroup

Dr. Maha Tahiri is a global leader with 30 years of experience in the food industry, specializing in R&D, health, and nutrition. She has held senior roles at four of the world’s top ten food companies - Mars Inc., Coca-Cola, Danone, and General Mills - working across more than 20 food categories and multiple regions, including Europe, the Middle East, the U.S., Latin America, and Asia. Her expertise spans innovation, scientific research, regulatory affairs, and influencer communication, enabling the successful launch of impactful products in diverse markets. Her most recent industry roles include Chief Health and Wellness Officer at General Mills and Global Head of Innovation at Danone.

Anna Taylor OBE

Anna Taylor OBE

Executive Director, The Food Foundation

Anna Taylor is Executive Director at The Food Foundation - a leading organisation working on food policy. Previously she was a civil servant at DFID leading their nutrition work and was awarded an OBE for services to tackle undernutrition globally.  She sits on DEFRA’s Food Strategy Advisory Board and was chief independent adviser to Henry Dimbleby for the National Food Strategy. She sits on the Board of Veg Power.  She started her career as a nutritionist working for Save the Children.  

Sophie Throup

Sophie Throup

Director General, NFU

Sophie joined the NFU as Director General in May 2026, bringing extensive experience across agriculture, food manufacturing, processing and retail. Before joining the NFU, she spent a decade in the veterinary sector, leading research and training programmes, before moving into senior roles at Morrisons and the Myton Food Group. 

She has also served as a non-executive director of Assured Food Standards (Red Tractor), a steering committee member of the Food Industry Initiative on Antimicrobials (FIIA), and a member of Defra's Animal Health and Welfare Pathway sub-group, contributing expertise across food, farming and policy.

Tom Wakeman

Tom Wakeman

Insight Director, IGD

Tom leads IGD’s insight strategy, partnering with global clients to anticipate change and drive growth by translating data into actionable strategies that help businesses thrive.   

James Walton

James Walton

Chief Economist, IGD

James' role at IGD is to help businesses anticipate and cope with strategic events, including economic pressures, geo-political change, social developments and environmental stress. James has worked with clients across the entire grocery industry as well as with non-industry groups such as government departments, financial businesses, and NGOs. James joined IGD in April 1999 and has served in several roles, becoming Chief Economist in 2004. 

Andrew Western

Andrew Western

Minister for Employment, DWP

Andrew Western was appointed Minister of State (Minister for Employment) in the Department for Work and Pensions on 21 July 2026. He was previously Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Work and Pensions from 9 July 2024 to 21 July 2026. He was elected as the MP for Stretford and Urmston in July 2024.

Caroline Young

Caroline Young

Head of Shopper Insight, IGD

Caroline leads IGD’s ShopperVista programme, helping retailers and suppliers understand how changing shopper behaviour is creating new opportunities for growth. With more than 25 years’ experience across insight, foresight, strategy and innovation, she has worked for major global food and drink businesses including Nestlé, General Mills and AB InBev. Passionate about understanding the factors that shape consumer decision-making, Caroline specialises in turning complex insight into practical action. Her work focuses on helping businesses anticipate the future and respond to the trends shaping the UK food system.

Drinks partner

Meatless

Meatless

At its production site in Goes, the Netherlands, Meatless processes various raw materials, such as faba beans, mycoprotein, rice and quinoa, into texturizing solutions and semi-finished products for plant-based and hybrid meat and fish applications. The texturates in its Meatless® portfolio are available in versatile variants and improve the taste, texture and nutritional profiles of food products.

Meatless is a brand of BENEO, which has long-term experience in developing and producing plant-based functional ingredients from natural sources for the food, feed and pharmaceutical industries. By supporting health and optimising taste and texture, they help improve the nutritional and technical properties of a wide variety of products.  

Stream partners

Brambles

Brambles

Since 2021, Brambles Digital has been trialing and piloting solutions for customers that deliver value by illuminating our customers’ supply chains.

By pairing our deep expertise in supply chain with new capabilities in data insights and analytics, we are equipping CHEP pallets with new digital technology to help customers drive growth and efficiency by providing insights about their goods as they flow through the supply chain.

Our ambition is to help our customers see further and act faster – driving improvements across efficiency, product availability, quality and sustainability.

Eden Lab

Eden Lab

Every leader already knows the food system has to change. The hard part is finding room to lead that change while running the businesses that feed the nation. Leo Rayman founded EdenLab to create that room. EdenLab is a growth practice, working with retail and manufacturing leadership teams where GLP-1s, climate volatility and AI are reshaping demand and supply at once. EdenLab's Deep Dive acceleration sprints find the growth hidden in health and climate disruption, and adaptive intelligence keeps strategy on track as conditions shift. Leo previously led a global consultancy for WPP.

3Keel and LENS

3Keel and LENS

3Keel is an evidence-led sustainability consultancy, tackling risks and building resilience across supply chains, food systems and landscapes. We partner with clients to deliver robust analyses, practical insights and clear advice to drive measurable impact.3Keel's industry-leading programme, Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs) brings organisations together to co-fund and implement regenerative agriculture and nature-based solutions to drive landscape resilience. Since 2021, LENs has delivered more than €30m from organisations like Nestlé, Diageo and West Northamptonshire Council to more than 430 farmers, to implement practices like cover crops, minimum tillage and habitat restoration.

Fairtrade Foundation

Fairtrade Foundation

Fairtrade is a global movement working to make trade fairer for the farmers and workers who grow the products we rely on. Through the Fairtrade Mark, Fairtrade connects businesses, consumers and producers in a shared commitment to fairer incomes, stronger livelihoods and more sustainable supply chains. Fairtrade supports producers through standards, fair pricing mechanisms and producer-led investments that help strengthen communities, protect the environment and build resilience to challenges such as climate change. By partnering with Fairtrade, businesses can help drive positive social and environmental impact while responding to growing consumer expectations for ethical and responsible sourcing.

Exhibitor

Polytag

Polytag

Polytag is a connected packaging technology company enabling GS1 Digital Link QR codes at scale. Our platform turns every product into a dynamic digital touchpoint, unlocking a powerful marketing channel that scales with sales. Using serialised and variable QR data, brands can deliver personalisation, rewards and loyalty experiences, while gaining item‑level visibility across the supply chain. Polytag enables smarter operations including faster, more targeted product recalls, reduced food waste, and improved recycling outcomes. Trusted by leading brands and retailers, Polytag's award winning platform helps businesses transform product and packaging into data‑rich infrastructure for growth, resilience and circularity.

LRQA

LRQA

LRQA is the leading global risk management partner. Through its connected risk management solutions, LRQA helps clients navigate an evolving global landscape to keep organisations one step ahead. From quality assurance to safety, cybersecurity, climate performance and responsible sourcing, LRQA works with clients to identify risks across their business. LRQA’s team of experts then creates smart, scalable solutions, tailored to help organisations prepare, prevent and protect against risk.

Through relentless client focus, backed by decades of sector-specific expertise, data-driven insight and on-the-ground specialists across assurance, certification, inspection, advisory and training, LRQA supports over 61,000 organisations in more than 150 countries.

Mondra

Mondra

Mondra is transforming how the UK food system decarbonises and becomes more resilient.

The Mondra supply chain intelligence platform enables retailers, suppliers, and brands to measure and reduce the environmental impact of food products at scale. Our Digital Twin technology unlocks actionable insights across critical dimensions - from LCA and climatic volatility to regenerative farming practices, geopolitical disruptions, and global events. We empower collaborative action, data transparency, and regulatory alignment, helping the industry achieve Net Zero, ESG compliance, and long-term resilience. Mondra supports the BRC Mondra Coalition - uniting the UK’s leading grocers and suppliers behind a shared sustainability standard.

Red Tractor

Red Tractor

Red Tractor is the UK's largest food and farm assurance scheme, underpinning standards across the food supply chain from farms to pack. Established in 2000 to help restore confidence in British food, Red Tractor provides independent assurance for food safety, animal welfare, environmental protection and traceability. The Red Tractor logo is recognised by 75% of UK shoppers and appears on more than £18 billion worth of food and drink.

Working with farmers, food businesses and retailers, Red Tractor helps deliver trusted standards, strengthen supply chain confidence and provide assurance that British food is safe, traceable and responsibly produced.

Klipspringer

Klipspringer

Trusted for food safety, quality assurance and operational excellence, Klipspringer supplies the equipment, systems and expertise that help food businesses meet and exceed the highest standards. Working with manufacturers, retailers and food service operators of all sizes, Klipspringer combines practical, compliance and operational excellence solutions with genuine industry insight, helping businesses reduce risk, protect brand reputation and keep pace with an ever evolving landscape. As the sector navigates the future of UK food safety, Klipspringer remains a trusted, forward-thinking partner.

Event partners

This is not just a partnership with IGD but rather a demonstration of commitment to supporting the future of a thriving food system and turning ambition into action.

For more information, contact Vikki Curle

IGD are seeking event partners that invest and innovate in the areas most important to the future of our food system. It is essential that our partners share our dedication to driving positive societal impact and commercial growth, as well as add value for attendees through their thought leadership and interactions.

We have created our partnership opportunities in alignment with the event themes and to guarantee a return on objectives for both IGD and the partner.

Why partner?

Demonstrate industry commitment

  • Show investment in our industry and your sector

  • Build credibility and trust

  • Use the event to support your ESG or purpose-driven strategies

Strengthen brand positioning and values

  • Reinforce company culture and purpose

  • Bring brand values to life through event alignment

  • Receive repeated brand exposure to drive recognition

Drive engagement and experience

  • Create brand experiences that support your objectives and provide meaningful, unforgettable encounters

  • Build stronger emotional connections through two-way interactions

Build relationships and partnerships

  • Have face-to-face time with prospective partners and stakeholders

  • Enrich account management and long-term relationship building

Access a highly relevant audience

  • Access your target audience including hard‑to‑reach individuals through a range of networking opportunities

Our 2025 event partners:

Unlock even greater value by booking multiple tickets.

Discounted tickets

Pricing

IGD Member

IGD Non-member

Standard rate

£500

£750

Small business discounted rate *

£250

£250

Group booking discount 3+

£450

£675

Group booking discount 5+

£425

£638

Bring your team

This conference is designed for cross-functional leaders.

Unlock even greater value by booking multiple tickets. Team attendance helps you align on strategy, share learning, and maximise impact back in the business - all while saving against the standard rate.

Attend together and divide the insights across:

  • Commercial & Strategy

  • Sustainability

  • Supply Chain

  • Agriculture

  • Health & Nutrition

  • People & Workforce

  • Public Affairs

* Discounted rate explained

To encourage broader representation across the value chain, we offer a discounted rate for eligible organisations, including:

  • Small manufacturing businesses with global turnover under £10m

  • Government organisations or NGOs

  • Registered charities

How to apply:

Place your order via the booking form and email your annual global turnover, charitable status or company information, to [email protected], or contact us with any questions.

Become an IGD member and save more

Not an IGD Member? Join IGD and save up to £1,400 per individual across the year, while unlocking year-round access to insight, tools and industry expertise.

Join IGD today.

Partnership opportunities

To get in touch about partnership opportunities, contact [email protected]

The small print

Tickets

Prices displayed ex-VAT. IGD reserves the right to alter any element of the programme, such as speakers, times and venue, should the need arise. All bookings are subject to your acceptance of IGD Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Your identity data will be used by IGD for the purposes of administering the event. IGD reserves the right to reject any order at their discretion. We may also use your identity data and contact data in the virtual platform/app for the event you are attending including: a) in a delegate list; and b) allowing other delegates to send you messages within the platform/app.

Cancellation Fees

Cancellations to be confirmed in writing.

Over 30 days notice - Full refund
15 - 30 days notice - 50% refund
Less than 15 days notice - No refund/transfers

Please email [email protected]

For more information, please see the FAQs.

General information

What's the format of the event?

  • This event is a physical 1-day event designed to turn ambition into action and support the future of a thriving food system

  • There will be a range of presentations and interactive sessions led by a variety of system perspectives

Where is the venue?

The Future of the UK Food System conference is being held at The Brewery, 52 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SD

Is there a dress code?

Most attendees opt for business casual; we would certainly suggest comfortable shoes as you move around the venue. 

Can I get access to the recordings and presentations after the event?

Yes, abridged presentations and content will be available to view within five working days of the event ending subject to speaker approval. You will receive an email once slides are accessible via our virtual event platform and your MyEvents section of IGD.com.

Booking details and communication

I am registered for the event but haven’t heard anything in a while. What should I do?

All communications regarding the event will be sent via [email protected]. If you feel you have missed any communications, please reach out to [email protected].

I can no longer attend, could I please get a refund? Would it be possible to transfer my ticket to someone else?

A reminder of our refund policy: 

  • Over 30 days notice - Full refund 

  • 15 - 30 days notice - 50% refund

  • Less than 15 days notice - No refund 

If you wish to transfer your ticket to a colleague, this is free of charge, please send over their details as well as those of the individual they will be replacing, to [email protected]. Please make sure the request is with us one week prior to the event to ensure access to the event app and virtual platform. 

Can I make a name change?

Name changes remain free of charge, we do ask that your request is with us one week prior to the event date, to enable access to our event app. Name changes must be made in writing to [email protected]. 

Could I please get a VAT receipt for my order?

A receipt will be sent to your company’s finance department once your order has been processed. If you would like a copy, please send your order number and request to [email protected]. 

Our responsibilities to you

How do I communicate my accessibility needs?

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive event experience for all attendees. If you have an accessibility-related requirement or request for this event, please let us know in your registration profile (which you’ll be sent once your ticket has been purchased). 

For more information, please contact [email protected] 

What is your commitment to inclusion and diversity?

Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to our culture at IGD. The following measures are in place to support attendees feel included at our events: 

  • Include your gender pronoun on your badge, via your registration profile (which you’ll be sent, once your ticket has been purchased). 

  • A dedicated inclusion and diversity room will be available, please do email [email protected], for further details.

How does IGD ensure I'm kept safe at this event?

IGD is committed to providing safe and secure environments for our attendees. All local and national authority guidance and regulations will be adhered to by IGD and the venue team. 

What is IGD doing to reduce the carbon impact of this event?

We are dedicated to minimising our environmental impact wherever possible, the following measures are in place to continue our mission in this area: 

  • Access to our interactive Event App. 

  • Using recycled, recyclable, and biodegradable materials where possible.

  • Minimising food waste.

  • Monitoring and reducing our carbon footprint year on year.

You can help support this mission by considering the following options: 

  • Travel by public transport to the event. 

  • Reduce travel for meetings: Utilise your time in London to conduct other meetings around this event. 

  • Lanyard reuse: Please drop your badge and lanyard back to us at the end of the day, so we can clean and reuse this. 

Key event contacts

In 2025 IGD brought together 500+ food and drink leaders to shape a more resilient, sustainable, and thriving sector.

Testimonials

“An incredibly inspiring day and so important that IGD are spearheading this critical agenda for the UK”

Roy Horgan

CEO, VusionGroup (speaker and event partner)

“I think it was one of, if not the most well organised food conference I’ve been to. Preparation beforehand was first class and the event spoke for itself. Particularly the quality of speakers and delegates.”

Baroness Minette Batters

MD, Barford Park LTD (speaker)

“Congrats on putting together an event bringing together many of the key actors. Good conversations had. Now to keep the momentum!”

James Mayer

President Danone (speaker)

“It was a really great event. All killer no filler, as they say!”

Jacqui Parr

The Grocer

"I thought the day was very well planned with some excellent speakers and thought-provoking sessions and topics. Given all the challenges we have navigated over the last few years and the challenges ahead the timing and ambition of the event was very well received.”

Rob Hutchison

CEO, Muller

“I thought the day was spot on in terms of positioning and content with so much of it resonating at an industry, business and personal level for me.”

Ross Dennison

Technical Director, Bakkavor

"A great opportunity to hear from a mix of larger and smaller suppliers, as well as from a leading retailer, all talking about Category Visions, Strategies, and engagement. Also an interesting look to the future with sessions on AI and data automation."

Category Development Director, Natural Balance Foods

"Really good day, well organised and good fun."

Insight Manager, Pilgrims Europe

"The presence and speeches by retailers were excellent, so insightful!"

Director of Sales - Category and Trade Solutions Europe, SC Johnson Europe

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