AGENDA

AGENDA FOR FESTIVAL OF FRESH 2025

INSPIRATION STAGE

With an eye on current trends and future developments, our Inspiration Stage speakers assess the state of play in the UK fresh produce industry and discuss what it takes to thrive at a testing time for the sector.

Through a combination of panels, interviews and presentations, we get to grips with today’s challenges, and explore opportunities to succeed with agile production, innovative marketing, cutting-edge tech, and sustainable processes.

8.30-9.20: Registration opens and welcome coffee

9.20-9.30: Welcome address

9.30-11.00: Production and trade

With a new government in power, industry leaders, top CEOs, and seasonal labour experts experts discuss the hot topics in production and trade. Expect lively debate and frank discussions.

9.30-10.00: Tom Bradshaw (president, NFU)

10.00-10.25: Seasonal labour panel

John Shropshire (chairman, G’s)

Lee Abbey (chief adviser for crop and plant production, NFU)

Matt Jarrett (CEO, Pro-Force)

Shayne Tyler (partner/director, TylerBladon Practical Ethics)

10.25-10.45: Avocado supply panel

Steve Maxwell (CEO, Worldwide Fruit)

Graham Young (group executive for strategic initiatives, Westfalia Fruit)

Rob Davies (general manager, The Avocado Company)

10.45-11.00: Family farming panel

Makhan Padda (owner, Vicarage Nurseries)

Jaswinder Singh (operations director, Vicarage Nurseries)

Bal Padda (commercial director, Vicarage Nurseries)

– From the new docuseries It’s a Punjabi Farm Innit

11.00-11.30: Coffee break

11.30-12.55: Retail, wholesale and marketing

Leading voices in retail and wholesale supply, marketing, and branding come together for a fascinating session on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in fresh produce. Expect insights, innovation, and inspiration.

11.30-11.55: Martha Springham (trading manager for produce, Ocado)

11.55-12.10: Matt Stoughton-Harris (resilience lead, IGD)

12.10-12.25: Clara Tucker (consumer insight director, Kantar)

12.25-12.40: Future of wholesale panel

Janet Hutchinson (CEO, New Spitalfields Market Tenants Association)

Mark Tate (owner, George Perry)

12.40-12.50: John Valentine (founder, Red Communications)

12.50-13.00: Rosie Osborne (research and projects officer, Bremner & Co) 

 

13.00-14.00: Lunch

14.00-14.20: Festival of Fresh Awards

We announce the winners of the Festival of Fresh Awards, now in their third year, as selected by Fresh Produce Journal’s editorial team for outstanding achievement in the UK fruit and vegetable industry.

Awards will be presented in the following six categories:

★ Retail Supplier of the Year ★

★ Non-Retail Supplier of the Year ★

★ Marketing Magic Award ★

★ Sustainable Champion Award ★

★ Editor’s Award ★

★ Innovation Award ★

14.20-15.15: Tech and sustainability

Key players in production and supply chain technology, precision farming, and regenerative agriculture discuss new ways to ensure sustainability and success. Expect innovation, progressive thinking, and big questions.

14.20-14.35: Willie Wood (head of technical, Worldwide Fruit)

14.35-14.50: Chris Chavasse (CEO, Muddy Machines)

14.50-15.05: Avi Schwartzer (COO, Clarifresh)

15.05-15.15: Liz Bowles (CEO, Farm Carbon Toolkit)

15.15-15.30: 130 years of FPJ

In a special panel discussion moderated by Fruitnet MD Chris White, we mark 130 years since Fresh Produce Journal began. Editors past and present explore how the publication and the UK fresh produce industry have changed in that time and where they are heading next.

Fred Searle (editor, FPJ)

Michael Barker (contributing editor, FPJ)

Tommy Leighton (communications and marketing consultant, Covent Garden Market Authority)