FDF Convention 2020
Shaping the Future of Food & Drink
Content:
FDF Convention 2020 Day 1 – Session 1: Climate & Carbon Net Zero
This session explores the opportunities and challenges facing the food and drink
manufacturing
sector as the pace to decarbonise accelerates to net zero by 2050. The scope
for
reducing onsite
emissions are discussed as well as strategies to look at wider supply chain
emissions. The role of
government policy and the regulatory framework are being examined, with a view
to identifying the
key policy asks the sector needs to see in the forthcoming Industrial
Decarbonisation Strategy
expected in Spring 2021.
Panel:
- Chair: Emma Piercy, Head of Climate Change & Energy Policy, FDF
- Julie Gartside, European Operations Manager: Advisory Services - Carbon & Energy
Management, SLR
- Andrew Bright, Director, ITPEnergised
- Karen Fisher, Special Advisor, WRAP
- Adam Wray-Summerson, Chartered Engineer, Clarke Energy
FDF Convention 2020 Day 1 – Session 2: Sustainable Healthy Diets
The global food system is set to face unprecedented pressures over the coming
decades. As part
of this, a transition towards a more 'sustainable healthy diet' to improve the
environmental impact of
the food system is of growing interest to businesses, policy makers, NGOs and
the public. Our expert
panel will discuss the role of food and drink manufacturers to help deliver
change, and perspectives
on how this could be taken forward in the upcoming National Food Strategy.
Panel:
- Chair: Kate Halliwell, Head of UK Diet and Health Policy, FDF
- Will Nicholson, Project lead – investor metrics, The Food Foundation
- Dr Nikos Mavroudis, Associate Professor in Food Quality and Regulation in the Dept.
of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading (on behalf of EIT Food)
- Joe James, Senior Policy Adviser - National Food Strategy, Defra
- Jenny Arthur, Head of Nutrition and Membership, Leatherhead Food Research
FDF Convention 2020 Day 1 – Session 3: Sustainability: Plastic and Packaging
Update
Plastics and packaging and balancing safety and shelf life with environmental
protection is
manufacturers' next biggest concern* Our panel will be looking at this from the
perspective of the
producer, consumer and compliance and is sure to generate plenty of debate as
we
face into issues
such as the single use plastics tax and whether Covid has set back progress on
reducing plastic use.
- Chair: David Bellamy, Senior Environment Policy Manager, FDF
- Nick Brown, Sustainable Packaging Director- Coca-Cola European Partners, Great
Britain
- James Skidmore, Head of Consulting, Valpak
- James Bull, Head of Packaging, Tesco
FDF Convention 2020 Day 2 – Session 1: Immediate Needs for an Automated and
Digitised
Future?
In 2020, interest in automation and digitisation has peaked in the sector, as a
result of the
COVID-19 crisis and the upcoming changes that will come from the UK's final
exit
from the EU. The
current climate has also shed light on the need to address weaknesses in the
supply chain. Despite
the fact that the sector responded well to the unexpected challenges, many
businesses worry about
how future shocks might affect them. The obvious answer seems to be the
application of technology
to achieve agile manufacturing systems and supply chains. But is the food and
drink manufacturing
sector ready for this shift? What are the more immediate on-site technical
needs
that the sector will
need to fulfil? What challenges will the sector face in meeting these
requirements?
Currently, the UK manufacturing sector ranks 22nd worldwide for robot units
installed per 10,000
employees (85 units) and the food and drink sector is one of the least
automated
manufacturing
sectors across the world (Source IFR). Our panellists will discuss the on-site
technical requirements
that will need to be met for the sector to be able to integrate into a digital
supply chain, as well as how
to build capabilities to address the immediate threat to labour shortages.
Panel:
- Chair: Helen Munday, Chief Scientific Officer, FDF
- Ben Ramsden, Food and Drink Sector Partnerships Manager, Digital Catapult
- Keith Thornhill, Head of Food and Beverage UK and Ireland, Siemens Digital
Industries
- Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer, MTC
- Dan Rossek, Regional Marketing Manager, Omron
FDF Convention 2020 Day 2 – Session 2: After a difficult year for the sector,
how can industry
regain commercial ground in 2021?
After a difficult commercial year for many businesses, particularly those in
food service, what
does 2021 hold for the sector? How will retailers be re-positioning following a
turbulent year, how can
the food service sector recover and what does post-pandemic purchasing look
like
for the consumer?
Panel:
- Chair: Nicki Hunt, Director of Membership and Commercial Engagement, FDF
- Ash Amirahmadi, Managing Director, Arla Foods
- Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer, UKHospitality
- Clodagh Sherrard, Director, Levercliff
FDF Convention 2020 Day 2 – Session 3: Scotland & Wales Key Issues focus
Focus on Scotland and Wales - The Covid-19 pandemic exposed stark differences in
its handling
by the different countries of the UK. But what's next for their approach to all
of the key issues
impacting food and drink? Our FDF Cymru Acting Director Pete Robertson will
chair our panellists
through these three key topics:
Political Landscape
- Pete Robertson, Acting Director, FDF Cymru (chair)
- Nerys Evans, Director, Deryn Public Affairs Consultancy
- David Thomson, CEO, FDF Scotland
Brexit and Covid-19: Recovery approach and plans
- Pete Robertson, Acting Director, FDF Cymru (chair)
- Andy Richardson, Head of Corporate Affairs, Volac International Limited
- David Thomson, CEO, FDF Scotland
Policy Evolutions: Health and Environment
- Pete Robertson, Acting Director, FDF Cymru (chair)
- Julie Byers, Public Affairs Manager, FDF
- Cat Hay, Policy and Industry Liaison Manager, FDF
Last reviewed: 07 Dec 2020