Food and Drink Conference 2018 – Beyond Brexit: Future-proofing food and drink in Scotland

Food and drink is a phenomenal Scottish success story, with aspirations to double in size to a £30 billion industry by 2030.

But is it ready for the challenges ahead, as Brexit looms ever nearer?

The sector has built its success on high quality, innovation, collaboration and the ability to tell a compelling global story about the land of food and drink.

So how can it build on these pillars of success to ensure the sector thrives beyond Brexit – by securing the talent, funding and markets to maintain domestic and global growth?

Agenda:

8.45am: registration and networking

9.25am: Welcome
Frank O’Donnell, Editorial Director, The Scotsman Publications

9.30am: Introduction by event chair
Stephen Jardine, Taste Communications

SESSION 1 – Tapping into the big trends

9.35am: State of the Nation: progress against Ambition 2030 and life beyond Brexit
James Withers, Chief Executive, Scotland Food & Drink (video presentation)

9.40am: Market trends – how Scottish food and drink businesses should respond to succeed beyond Brexit
Andrew Niven, INSIGHTS Manager, Scotland Food & Drink

10.00am: Healthy, wealthy and wise? Market opportunities in health-conscious food
Roz Cuschieri, Chairwoman, Emily’s Crisps (former executive at United Biscuits, Warburtons, Scottish & Newcastle and Genius)

10.20am: Intellectual Property and Brexit – potential consequences for the food and drink industry
Eleanor Coates, Director, Trade marks, Murgitroyd

10.40am: Panel discussion with Andrew Niven, Roz Cuschieri and Eleanor Coates

SESSION 2 – Future-proofing food and drink: quality, collaboration, innovation

11.00am: The water of life: how Scotland’s national drink is confronting new challenges to thrive beyond Brexit
Karen Betts, Chief Executive Scotch Whisky Association

11.15am: Scottish Salmon – Growing Scotland’s most local global sector
Julie Hesketh-Laird, CEO, Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation

11.30am: Recognising and promoting the value of the Scottish red meat industry
Jim McLaren, Chairman, Quality Meat Scotland

11.45am: Panel discussion with Karen Betts, Julie Hesketh-Laird and Jim McLaren

12.10pm: BRUNCH

1.00pm: Scotland’s food tourism strategy and what it means for your business
Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, Scottish Government

1.25pm: Taking your food and drink business onto an international stage – and preparing for the future
Burness Paull LLP

1.45pm: Making your business stand out from the crowd
Petra Wetzel, Founder of WEST Beer

2.05pm: Panel discussion – Achieving excellence: how to deliver customer satisfaction and protect your brand
Petra Wetzel, WEST Beer
Joanna Fulton, Burness Paull LLP
Adam Hunter, Commercial Director, Arbikie
Claire Pollock, Partner, Ardross Farm Shop
Jane Shandley, Founder and Client Services Director, IQ Chocolate

2.30pm: Chair’s closing remarks
Stephen Jardine, Taste Communications

2.35pm: Close

*Agenda subject to change*

Extra course:

2.45pm – 3.45pm: Succession planning for food and drink businesses
With Robert Burns, Partner and Fiona Clarke, Senior Associate, Burness Paull

This session will explore the key issues as you look to the future of your business – whether that be a sale of the business or passing it on to the next generation.

To sign up for this extra course please email the team directly at conferences@scotsman.com

Exhibitors:

Supported by:

Images from our 2018 event below