For each of the four debates, the Food Manufacture Group has assembled an expert line-up of speakers to generate informed topical discussion, designed to help food and drink manufacturers manage their businesses even more effectively.
Stellar cast of industry insiders
We have selected a stellar cast of industry insiders whose industry insight on the topics under discussion will provide valuable business pointers.
Lasting between 45 minutes and one hour, each Big Video Debate will feature a brief presentation from each speaker before a panel discussion led by a presenter. Visitors to the show will also have an opportunity to put their questions directly to our expert panels towards the end of each debate.
Speakers include: Richard Clothier, Wyke Farms md, Lord Rooker, former chairman Food Standards Agency, Jon Poole, ceo, Institute of Food Science & Technology and Mike Wilson, president, British Automation and Robot Association and general industry sales and marketing manager, ABB Robotics. See the full list of speakers below.
Centre stage
All debates will take place on the Centre Stage. Each debate will be filmed and the highlights will appear on FoodManufacture.co.uk.
Meanwhile, if you have a pressing question about the lessons learnt from the horsemeat crisis, how social media can help or hinder the food and drink industry, how best to plug the skills gap or how to refine lean and green manufacturing techniques for your business, please email it in advance to Michael.stones@wrbm.com.
Foodex takes place at the National Exhibition Centre, near Birmingham between Monday March 24 and Wednesday March 26. More information about the event is available here.
Big Video Debates at Foodex
Social media: threat or opportunity for food and drink manufacturers
Monday March 24, from 10.45 to 11.45.
Speakers:
- Richard Clothier, Wyke Farms md
- Jack Hamilton, Mash Direct, marketing manager
- Paul Bradley, National Farmers Union senior social media adviser
- Presenter: Mike Stones, Food Manufacture Group
Horsemeat over one year on: Could it happen again?
Monday March 24, from 14.15 to 15.15.
Speakers:
- Mark Driscoll, head of food at Forum for The Future
- Nick Allen, EBLEX sector director
- Lord Rooker, former chairman Food Standards Agency
- Terry Jones, Food and Drink Federation, communications director
- Professor Paul Dobson, head of Norwich Business School
- Elizabeth Andoh-Kesson, British Retail Consortium, food policy advisor and lead report, Elliott review
- Dominic Watkins, DWF law firm partner and head of food group
- Presenter: Rod Addy, Food Manufacture Group
Plugging the skills gap in food and drink manufacturing
Tuesday March 25, from 11.45 to 12.30.
Speakers:
• Jon Poole, IFST, ceo
• Justine Fosh, the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink, chief executive
• Michael Rudge, Bakkavor, process technologist
• Presenter: Mike Stones
Lean and green manufacturing: Challenges and opportunities
Tuesday March 25, from 14.30 to 15.30.
Speakers:
- Mike Wilson, president, British Automation and Robot Association and general industry sales and marketing manager, ABB Robotics
- Michael Taylor, business development manager, National Skills Academy for Food & Drink and former operations manager, Fosters Bakery
- Professor Peter Hines, SA Partners, chairman
- Presenter: Rod Addy
Don't forget each Big Video Debate is free to attend, will last no longer than one hour and takes place on the Centre Stage.