FDF announces speakers for convention
30 June 2017
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) today announces an outstanding line-up of high-quality speakers for its Convention, including Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade. They will join an audience comprising the leaders of the UK food and drink industry for discussion on the three critical policy challenges facing our industry: Brexit, the new industrial strategy, and tackling obesity.
The annual event, sponsored by Lloyds Bank will take place on the 11th of July at the British Museum.
- The morning session will begin with a 'state of the nation' overview from FDF President and Premier Foods CEO Gavin Darby.
- In a 'farm to fork' panel on Brexit, a senior DEFRA official will share the very latest information on the future Food and Farming policy. Terry Jones, Director General of NFU (the voice of British farming) and Heather Hancock, Chairman of the Food Standards Agency will also join the panel discussing how the whole UK food chain will be impacted by Brexit and how it can and should work better together.
- The morning will also include the results of a brand new 'deep dive' into the current state of the food and drink manufacturing sector from Grant Thornton and panel debates on Brexit and the industrial strategy.
- The afternoon will feature a panel on 'creative solutions to tackle obesity' featuring Richard Dobbs, Senior Partner of McKinsey Global Institute (and co-author of MGI's renowned global report on obesity), and Jane Lawrie, Group Communications Director at Tesco.
- A second panel led by Glenn Caton, President, Northern Europe, Mondelez Europe, will debate how brands can take consumers with as they reformulate products to make them healthier.
Delegates at the Convention will enjoy lunch, sponsored by food and drink PR specialists Cirkle and a post-event drinks reception, sponsored by British Gas.
Additional speakers are still to be confirmed.
For additional speakers and to register for the event, Register online
Ian Wright CBE, Director General of the Food and Drink Federation, said: “The Food and Drink Federation's annual Convention will bring together leaders from across our whole supply chain to debate the important challenges we face. We look forward to continuing our work with our partners and Government to find creative solutions for our industry and our consumers.”
Elena Paitra, Managing Director and Head of Food, Beverages & Tobacco sector coverage, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Lloyds Bank is proud to be sponsoring the FDF Convention, which will provide a valuable opportunity for industry leaders to collectively tackle key issues such as the UK's exit from the European Union. Lloyds has deep expertise across the food and drink industry and its supply chain, including UK agriculture, making us ideally placed to support our clients and the industry through the challenges discussed.”
Gab Barbaro, Managing Director of British Gas Business, said: “I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts on the future of energy with FDF members. It's essential that the UK food and drink industry understands the major trends and policies that will shape our energy infrastructure in the coming years – from smart grids to battery storage. I want this vital sector of our economy to get smart and take advantage of developments in technology that will change the way they use energy.”
Ruth Allchurch, MD, Cirkle said: “Cirkle is proud to sponsor such a high profile event especially at such a pivotal time for the food and drink industry. I look forward to taking part in the panel debate, discussing the positive role that integrated communications can play in enhancing brand reputation and influencing consumers - in the context of the health agenda.”
More information
Contact Skye Oudemans, Corporate Affairs Division, at: skye.oudemans@fdf.org.uk, or 02074207120.