Big Video Debates on horsemeat and social media at Foodex

12-Mar-2014 - Last updated on 12-Mar-2014 at 14:22 GMT

Don't miss our free Big Video Debates at Foodex, dealing with social media, the lessons learnt from the horsemeat crisis, skills and lean and green manufacturing techniques

Learning the lessons of the horsemeat crisis and the latest updates on social media, plugging the skills gap and lean and green food and drink manufacturing are the subjects of four separate, free-to-attend, Big Video Debates at the Foodex event later this month.

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.