Next Event

Next Event: 22 October 2026 | Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars

Food and drink manufacturers are navigating rising costs, changing consumer behaviour, retailer pressures and increasing supply chain scrutiny. So how do you build and maintain resilience in this squeezed middle?

Chaired by industry veteran Chris Gilbert-Wood, this Business Leaders' Forum brings together expert voices from consumer insight, food policy and retail to explore the trends, risks and opportunities shaping the sector.

Gain exclusive insight from Lumina Intelligence's Flora Zwolinski on evolving consumer and market trends, hear Professor Tim Lang's assessment of the biggest risks facing the UK food system, and learn from former Morrisons Trading Director Paul Geary how stronger customer relationships can help businesses succeed in difficult trading conditions.

View Programme & Speakers

Forum Ticket

£95.00

Please note: Only C-Suite, Owners / Founders and Senior Leader (Head of, Director or equivalent) representatives of food and drink manufacturing companies are eligible to attend the event. If you do not meet the criteria, your purchase will be refunded.

Qty

Guest Speakers

Chris Gilbert-Wood
Director & President
CGW Foodtech Ltd & IFST
Full profile
Flora Zwolinski
Insight Lead
Lumina Intelligence
Full profile
Paul Geary
Founder
PSG Commercial Advisory
Full profile
Tim Lang
Emeritus Professor
City University London
Full profile

FM Business Leaders' Forum October 2026 Agenda

-
Registration
-
Introduction

Food Manufacture Editor Bethan Grylls to introduce event chair Chris Gilbert-Wood

Speakers
Bethan Grylls
Editor
Food Manufacture
Chris Gilbert-Wood
Director & President
CGW Foodtech Ltd & IFST
-
Resilience or Ruin: The consumer, market and growth signals leaders can't ignore
Speaker
Flora Zwolinski
Insight Lead
Lumina Intelligence
-
Q&A and Wider Discussion
-
Break
-
Scene Setter
-
Food Resilience: Is the UK prepared for shocks and are you ready?
Speaker
Tim Lang
Emeritus Professor
City University London
-
Q&A and Wider Discussion
-
Lunch
-
Scene Setter
-
What retailers really want: Building consumer relationships that perform under pressure
Speaker
Paul Geary
Founder
PSG Commercial Advisory
-
Q&A
-
Break
-
Wider Discussion
-
Closing Actions
Speaker
Chris Gilbert-Wood
Director & President
CGW Foodtech Ltd & IFST
-
Thanks and Official Close
Speaker
Bethan Grylls
Editor
Food Manufacture

Why attend Business Leaders' Forum?

  • Explore industry challenges and opportunities with your peers from the UK food and drink manufacturing sector
  • Gain inspiration from other senior leaders, and identify gaps that can be filled within your own business
  • Hear from expert speakers and industry influencers on various topics impacting the sector
  • Network and forge long-lasting connections with like-minded senior leaders
  • Tickets include catering and drinks throughout the day

Why join the forum?

February 2026 Event Highlights

"I find this event really useful, insightful and it's one I look forward to putting in the diary. Well run, at great venues with excellent facilities, but most of all, strong representation from industry leaders."

Tony Timotheou Head of Business & Projects Tim's Dairy Ltd

"I enjoyed the fact that it was very informal which helped people be very open and honest. It highlighted that we all have the same issues in the food industry and that only by working together can we make change."

Lisa Fox Senior L&D Consultant Nomad Foods

"Food Manufacture's Business Leaders' Forum continues to offer great insights from a variety of food industry perspectives in a format that invigorates and motivates - a very useful day with sectoral colleagues."

Milan Shah The Grain and Feed Trade Association

"This event exceeded my expectations—I made key contacts, and the discussions on the challenges we all face as British food manufacturers were invaluable."

Rosamund Heathcote Founder & Managing Director Borough Broth

"I really enjoyed this event. I was a little apprehensive attending but it felt like a really open and inclusive space to talk to other industry professionals without too much formality. I will definitely attend again."

Amy Wilkinson Founder & CEO Fearless Foodies

"The event was extremely well-organised. There were many great opportunities for interaction and knowledge sharing. The agenda was fantastic: well-planned, diverse, and engaging. It never felt boring or overwhelming, with a great balance of topics. Everyone was encouraged to speak, but no one was put on the spot. That made a big difference—some of us aren’t confident public speakers, and it was wonderful to feel no pressure."

Milena Gradowska Technical Manager Bennett Opie Ltd.

Previous Attendees