MEET THE SPEAKERS

Speakers

  • Alejandro Solis Martinez,Independent Advisor

    Alejandro Solis Martinez

    Independent Advisor

    Alejandro Solis Martinez specialises in fresh produce sourcing, sustainability, and supply chain digitalisation. He helps businesses adapt to evolving regulations and retailer demands by leveraging data-driven technology for greater transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in the Fresh produce industry. 

  • Alexis Simoes,Sekoya

    Alexis Simões

    Sekoya

    Alexis Simões is a seasoned business development manager with over ten years of experience. At Driscoll’s and Wealmoor, he honed expertise in premium and niche markets while developing robust supply chains across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. His strategic insights have driven growth and innovation in the fresh produce industry. 

  • Anne Marie Borgdorff,GroentenFruit Huis

    Anne Marie Borgdorff

    GroentenFruit Huis

    Anne Marie Borgdorff is programme manager health at GroentenFruit Huis. In this role she tries to stimulate the consumption of fruit and vegetables. Almost all people do not meet the recommendation of daily fruit and vegetable consumption. The challenge is to change the behaviour of consumers so that they will eat more. 

  • Brent Walsh,Berries ZA

    Brent Walsh

    Berries ZA

    Brent Walsh has been part of the berry industry in South Africa for three years now as the CEO of Berries ZA. The dynamic nature of the industry lends itself to engaging with the full cross-section of the value chain. Such insights and engagements create opportunities for new learnings each year. 

Speakers

  • Carlos Bonilla,Hortifrut

    Carlos Bonilla

    Hortifrut

    Carlos Bonilla is global genetics product development director at Hortifrut. He is a passionate agribusiness professional with deep expertise in product marketing and portfolio strategy. He is skilled in bringing innovative berry varieties to market, optimising product positioning, and driving growth through strategic partnerships. He has experience in global crop management, market expansion, and aligning genetics with grower and consumer needs. 

  • Cindy Van Rijkswick,Rabobank Research Food & Agribusiness

    Cindy van Rijswick

    Rabobank Research Food & Agribusiness

    Cindy van Rijswick is global strategist for fresh produce at Rabobank. She is responsible for setting and executing the research agenda for the fruit, vegetable, and floriculture sectors within the global RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness team. She and her colleagues publish research that is relevant to fresh produce companies worldwide, both in the corporate and rural domains. 

  • David Kat,Neolithics

    David Kat

    Neolithics

    David Kat has been a business developer, entrepreneur and active investor, since 2004. At Neolithics he’s working with the fruit and vegetable industry to bring unsurpassed internal insights on quality, a unique and patented AI solution, that offers an attractive business case for food waste prevention. 

     

  • Dr. Hans Widmann,Herbert Widmann GmbH

    Dr. Hans Widmann

    Herbert Widmann GmbH

    Hans Widmann is general manager of Herbert Widmann, a company that has been growing and marketing berries for more than 30 years. It has production in several countries including South Africa, Namibia, Chile, Romania, Spain, Austria and Germany. 

Speakers

  • Jenna Martin,Angus Soft Fruits

    Jenna Martin

    Angus Soft Fruits

    Jenna Martin is a category and insights leader with more than 15 years’ experience across branded and private label sectors, driving category strategy across major UK and international retailers. Previously at 2 Sisters Food Group and GlaxoSmithKline, she led innovation, strategic partnerships, and category growth, delivering commercial success and market expansion. 

  • Michiel Vermeiren,Coöperatie Hoogstraten

    Michiel Vermeiren

    Coöperatie Hoogstraten

    Michiel Vermeiren is currently responsible for the fruit business unit at Coöperatie Hoogstraten, a major player in the fresh produce business. Strawberries are the biggest category within the fruit segment, but Coöperatie Hoogstraten also offers blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and kiwi berries. Michiel started his career in Hoogstraten as sales and business analyst in 2020. 

  • Nico Broersen,Agriplace

    Nico Broersen

    Agriplace

    Nico Broersen, CEO of Agriplace, is passionate about responsible sourcing and supply chain transparency. With experience at Unilever and Ocado, he saw the challenges of sustainability data sharing. At Agriplace, he helps major food suppliers and retailers in Europe ensure efficient, sustainable, and compliant supply chains through better insights and technology. 

  • Raffaele Benedetti,UNITEC S.p.A.

    Raffaele Benedetti

    UNITEC

    Raffaele Benedetti has been member of the board of directors at Unitec since 2009. Over the years he has contributed to the expansion and consolidation of the international trading network of Unitec Group. 

Speakers

  • Wilco van den Berg,GroentenFruit Huis

    Wilco van den Berg

    GroentenFruit Huis

    Wilco van den Berg is an expert in global fruit and vegetable data. Whether it concerns production or consumption figures, he knows how to combine all sources into valuable insights. Market information is the basis for the right decisions! 

  • Wyard Stomp,Driscoll's of Europe

    Wyard Stomp

    Driscoll’s of Europe

    Wyard Stomp is managing director of Driscoll’s of Europe, Middle East & Africa. As a leader, he has a record of driving transformational business growth within the fruit and dairy industry. With over a decade of leadership at Driscoll’s, Wyard has developed a strong vision and deep expertise in how to successfully establish a brand in the fresh category. 

  • Sergio Torres, Camposol

    Sergio Torres

    Camposol

    Sergio Torres is a seasoned executive specialising in the commercial area of blueberries, with over two decades of experience in the fresh produce industry. As senior vice president at Camposol, he has been instrumental in driving revenue growth, expanding international markets, and leading high-performing teams across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. 

  • Duncan Robertson, Dogtooth

    Dr Duncan Robertson

    Dogtooth

    Dr Duncan Robertson is CEO and co-founder of Dogtooth, a technology start-up developing and selling autonomous robots for picking delicate berry fruits. Over the last two decades, he has had a pivotal role in the success of several high-growth technology start-ups created to exploit emerging machine learning capabilities in new commercial applications.