The event, which is sponsored by international law firm DWF and takes place on 22 January at its London offices, is attended by senior managers in the food and drink manufacturing sector. For this reason, it leads to extensive online and print coverage and is always one of the highlights of the industry’s calendar, although the debate is conducted strictly under Chatham House rules.
Created as a means to focus minds on areas expected to be the key subjects influencing strategy and direction in the coming year, the Business Leaders’ Forum 2018 addressed a range of concerns.
Among those contributing to the debate last year, one executive at the summit warned delegates to prepare for a hard Brexit by focusing on cash management and inventory planning. Milan Shah, owner of Virani Food Products, urged attendees to work on making their supply chains more transparent. And John Barnes, director of consultancy Enmoore and former head of the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) Local Delivery division spoke about the need to reform the FSA.
Exclusive invitation
Over the course of a morning, from 9am to 12.30pm, food processing bosses discuss and debate the issues vital to their roles and the sector’s success at a high-rise venue, overlooking the Thames. This is followed by a networking lunch. Attendance is free, but by exclusive invitation only.
An overview of the agenda is shown below, but delegates are free to contact the editorial team at Food Manufacture on foodman@wrbm.com and suggest other topics. A more detailed schedule is published closer to the event.
Previous attendees have included directors of Typhoo Tea, Young’s Seafood, Princes Group, Direct Table Foods, the Authentic Food Company, Weetabix, Nestlé, Haribo, McCain Foods, Warburtons, AG Barr and 2 Sisters Food Group.
A number of business leaders have already accepted invitations, so if you are also keen to attend, don’t delay. Please drop the team a line at the email address above.