IGD Future of the UK Food System 2026

Sarah Bradbury, CEO, IGD
This opening session sets the tone for the day, outlining the purpose, structure, and ambitions of the Future of the UK Food System 2026 Conference.

James Walton, Chief Economist IGD

Tom Wakeman, Insight Director, IGD

IGD presents a sharp look at the economic and shopper forces redefining growth in the UK food system. Discover how shifting value perceptions, polarised spending, rising expectations on health and sustainability, and mounting margin pressures are reshaping commercial strategy. This session gives leaders the concise foresight they need to navigate change and seize future-ready opportunities.

Hearing the view from the generation we are designing change and acting for.

Join IGD as we present how the Good Food Cycle’s ten priority outcomes spanning healthier food environments, improved access to nutritious and affordable choices, and stronger, more transparent supply chains, can inform industry action.

Ash Amirahmadi, CEO, Sofina Foods, Dalton Phillips, CEO, Greencore, Roisin Currie, CEO, Greggs Anna Taylor, Executive Director, The Food Foundation.

Following the presentation of the latest on the Good Cycle Framework, this panel will give insight from leading CEOs from their different sectors, on how they are implementing change in their businesses that relates to the ten priorities. They will also discuss what they believe matters most, for system progress. This panel will equip you with the clarity, confidence and inspiration to play your part in the UK’s food transformation journey.

Helen Herniman, CEO, AHDB, Jim O’Toole, CEO, Bord Bia, Robert Sheasby, Chief Executive, AIC.

This panel brings international insight to the UK context. Delegates will discover lessons from global markets that are transforming their food systems and consider how these ideas can be adapted to strengthen UK resilience, competitiveness, and innovation.

Dr Clive Black, Director, Shore Capital

A presentation examining how policy signals over the past year have shaped investment decisions across the sector. They will also explore the conditions required to accelerate Good Growth, highlighting remaining policy barriers and opportunities to unlock scalable, purpose driven innovation.

This panel explores the critical role that today’s leadership plays in determining the long-term health, resilience, and sustainability of the food system. Speakers will share where momentum is already building and the pivotal areas where further action is needed to drive systemic change.

This session provides an up-to-date look at the evolving health landscape and the implications for industry since the landmark insights shared by Chris Whitty. Attendees will gain clarity on shifting expectations, policy developments, and the sector’s role in supporting better health outcomes

• Driving commercial advantage through resilience & sustainability.

• Building and educating the workforce of the future.

• The future of food for health.

• Supply chain transformation for efficiency and sustainability outcomes.

Ambition is powerful but action is transformative. This session is designed to ignite belief, unlock momentum, and help move from intention to meaningful progress.

Together, we’ll uncover:

• How to shift from dreaming to doing with clarity and courage

• The small, consistent actions that create extraordinary long‑term impact

• How to harness personal energy, collective commitment, and shared belief

• Techniques to stay motivated, resilient, and aligned when challenges arise

Come ready to be inspired, re‑energised, and reminded that every ambition - no matter how big - becomes achievable when action takes the lead.

Sarah Bradbury, CEO, IGD

The final session summarises the key messages, insights, and actions from the day. IGD will outline how it will continue to convene, enable, and challenge the sector, and invite attendees to carry the momentum forward into collaborative action.

• Show investment in our industry and your sector

• Build credibility and trust

• Use the event to support your ESG or purpose-driven strategies

• Reinforce company culture and purpose

• Bring brand values to life through event alignment

• Receive repeated brand exposure to drive recognition

• Create brand experiences that support your objectives and provide meaningful, unforgettable encounters

• Build stronger emotional connections through two-way interactions

• Have face-to-face time with prospective partners and stakeholders

• Enrich account management and long-term relationship building

• Access your target audience including hard‑to‑reach individuals through a range of networking opportunities

Take advantage of our exclusive early booking rate and secure your place at a significantly reduced cost before standard pricing applies. Early registrants benefit from the same high-impact programme — at the best possible value.

Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

For assistance with your booking, contact [email protected]

To encourage broader representation across the value chain, we offer a discounted rate for eligible organisations, including:

• Small manufacturing businesses with global turnover under £10m

• Government organisations or NGOs

• Registered charities

How to apply:

Place your order via the booking form and email your annual global turnover, charitable status or company information, to [email protected], or contact us with any questions.

Unlock even greater value by booking multiple tickets. Team attendance helps you align on strategy, share learning, and maximise impact back in the business — all while saving against the standard rate.

Enquire about group bookings.

Not an IGD Member? Join IGD and save up to £1,400 per individual across the year, while unlocking year-round access to insight, tools and industry expertise.

Join IGD today.

To get in touch about partnership opportunities, contact [email protected]

• This event is a physical 1-day event designed to turn ambition into action and support the future of a thriving food system

• There will be a range of presentations and interactive sessions led by a variety of system perspectives

The Future of the UK Food System conference is being held at The Brewery, 52 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4SD

Most attendees opt for business casual; we would certainly suggest comfortable shoes as you move around the venue. 

Yes, abridged presentations and content will be available to view within five working days of the event ending subject to speaker approval. You will receive an email once slides are accessible via our virtual event platform and your MyEvents section of IGD.com.

All communications regarding the event will be sent via [email protected]. If you feel you have missed any communications, please reach out to [email protected].

A reminder of our refund policy: 

• Over 30 days notice - Full refund 

• 15 - 30 days notice - 50% refund

• Less than 15 days notice - No refund 

If you wish to transfer your ticket to a colleague, this is free of charge, please send over their details as well as those of the individual they will be replacing, to [email protected]. Please make sure the request is with us one week prior to the event to ensure access to the event app and virtual platform. 

Name changes remain free of charge, we do ask that your request is with us one week prior to the event date, to enable access to our event app. Name changes must be made in writing to [email protected]. 

A receipt will be sent to your company’s finance department once your order has been processed. If you would like a copy, please send your order number and request to [email protected]. 

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive event experience for all attendees. If you have an accessibility-related requirement or request for this event, please let us know in your registration profile (which you’ll be sent once your ticket has been purchased). 

For more information, please contact [email protected] 

Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to our culture at IGD. The following measures are in place to support attendees feel included at our events: 

• Include your gender pronoun on your badge, via your registration profile (which you’ll be sent, once your ticket has been purchased). 

• A dedicated inclusion and diversity room will be available, please do email [email protected], for further details.

IGD is committed to providing safe and secure environments for our attendees. All local and national authority guidance and regulations will be adhered to by IGD and the venue team. 

We are dedicated to minimising our environmental impact wherever possible, the following measures are in place to continue our mission in this area: 

• Access to our interactive Event App. 

• Using recycled, recyclable, and biodegradable materials where possible.

• Minimising food waste.

• Monitoring and reducing our carbon footprint year on year.

You can help support this mission by considering the following options: 

• Travel by public transport to the event. 

• Reduce travel for meetings: Utilise your time in London to conduct other meetings around this event. 

• Lanyard reuse: Please drop your badge and lanyard back to us at the end of the day, so we can clean and reuse this. 

• General enquiries – [email protected]