Sustainability Podcast Episodes

Supply chain resilience wasn’t just about logistics—it was about people. As supply chains shrank and pressures mounted, suppliers and growers needed to be seen as partners, not just costs to be managed. They were an extension of the product, business, and brand, and fostering strong relationships with them was key to long-term success.

This session explored how better understanding led to better communication, driving innovation, trust, and food security. Speakers shared insights from real research and industry examples, including supplier engagement in high-fibre wheat production, Pret’s approach to strengthening supplier relationships, packaging innovation from Alexir, sustainability lessons from M&S Plan A, and key concerns from a 2025 survey of 500 UK farmers.

Moderator:

• Clare Otridge, Director - Grounded Research

Panelists:

• Ed Whelpton, Co-Founder & COO - Bold Bean Co.
• Philip Gibson, Founder & MD - Twig Strategic Communications
• Ros Heathcote, Founder & Managing Director - Borough Broth

This session explored the challenges and opportunities in the food sector’s transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon future. Experts discussed the latest efforts to reduce emissions, improve food waste management, and enhance supply chain resilience. Attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of the actions required to meet sustainability goals, the role of innovation in achieving these targets, and the evolving regulatory landscape driving change. The session provided both practical strategies and visionary insights on how the food industry could accelerate its journey toward net-zero while maintaining profitability and consumer trust.

Moderator:

• Dr. Isabel Divanna, Associate Director - The Carbon Trust

Panelists:

• Jason Danciger, Managing Director UK & Ireland and Eastern Europe - Hana Group
• Kate Cawley, Founder - Future Food Movement
• Nick Brown, ESG Director - Premier Foods
• Sarah Wakefield, Executive Director - Eating Better

In an era of global disruptions—from climate change to geopolitical instability and supply chain shocks—resilience had never been more critical for the food and drink industry. This panel brought together industry leaders to discuss strategies for building a more agile, adaptive, and robust supply chain. From diversification and digital transformation to sustainability and risk mitigation, experts explored practical solutions to safeguard operations and ensure continuity in an unpredictable world. Attendees gained valuable insights into the future of supply chain resilience and how businesses could stay ahead of the curve.

Moderator:

• Peter Wortsman, Partner - European Food and Farming Partnerships

Panelists:

• Duncan Rawson, Partner - European Food and Farming Partnerships
• Dr. Emma Keller, Head of Sustainability - Nestlé UK&I
• Francisco Martin-Rayo, CEO & Co-Founder - Helios
• Tom Maidment, Group Product Sustainability Senior Manager - Hilton Food Group

Upcycling gained traction in the food and drink industry, with companies finding innovative ways to transform by-products into valuable ingredients. As sustainability and nutrition took centre stage, upcycled food presented both an environmental solution and a commercial opportunity. This panel provided an update on the evolving upcycled food market, exploring key trends, success stories, and the challenges businesses faced in scaling up. Industry leaders discussed regulatory considerations, consumer perceptions, and the potential for upcycling to drive both sustainability and profitability in the years ahead.

Moderator:

• Iveta Kovacova, Research Director - Ecovia Intelligence

Panelists:

• Dini McGrath, Co-Founder - The Wonki Collective
• Freddie Ugo, Head of Brand - Beyond Belief Brewing Co.
• Ruth Dolby, Director - Food Science Fusion

Leading experts and advocates came together to explore how regenerative farming practices restored soil health, enhanced biodiversity, and contributed to sustainable food systems. The session highlighted the role of these practices in shaping the future of food, showing how they benefitted not only the environment but also the taste, nutrition, and sustainability of meals. Attendees gained actionable insights into how stakeholders across the food industry had begun collaborating to build a more resilient, sustainable, and nourishing food system for future generations.

Moderator:

• Claire Mackenzie, Documentary Producer - Six Inches of Soil

Panelists:

• Andrew Neal, Soil Microbiologist - Rothamsted Research
• Dave Smith, CEO - Fielden
• Henry Astor, Owner & Farmer - Bruern Farm
• Tim Parton, Director - Green Farm Collective

We hosted an inspiring fireside chat with Renée Elliott, visionary founder of Planet Organic, and Holly Shackleton, Editor of Speciality Food Magazine. Together, they explored Renée’s journey from pioneering ethical consumerism to building one of the UK’s only organic supermarket chains. In this candid conversation, Renée reflected on her early entrepreneurial experiences, the challenges of creating a business that prioritises people and the planet, and her ongoing mission to promote health in the community. Holly guided the discussion, delving into themes of sustainability, corporate responsibility, and how brands can truly create meaningful impact.

Moderator:

• Holly Shackleton, Editor - Speciality Food Magazine

Keynote:

• Renée Elliott, Founder - Planet Organic

Leveraging their FoodTech Data Navigator database of over 10,500 FoodTech startup and scaleup companies and more than a decade of investment transaction history, Forward Fooding shared insights on how FoodTech entrepreneurs had been reinventing the food system to make it more sustainable and resilient. The presentation provided IFE attendees with a comprehensive overview of the sector, highlighted current and emerging trends, and examined how the industry had responded to recent economic challenges. Forward Fooding also unveiled its latest FoodTech 500 Ranking, the definitive list of the top 500 AgriFoodTech companies worldwide.

Panelists:

• Dr. A. Driando Ahnan-Winarno, Co-Founder & CTO - Better Nature
• Andy Clayton, CEO - Fermtech
• David Jackson, Director of Marketing & Public Affairs - Winnow Solutions

Keynote:

• Alessio D'Antino, Co-Founder & CEO - Forward Fooding

As the global demand for fresh, sustainable, and locally grown produce continued to rise, vertical farming emerged as a game-changer in the future of food production. This session explored how innovative vertical farming techniques revolutionised agriculture by increasing yields, reducing resource consumption, and bringing food closer to consumers. The expert panel discussed the latest advancements, challenges in scaling up, and the role of vertical farms in enhancing food security and sustainability. Whether attendees were retailers, suppliers, or foodservice professionals, they uncovered how this cutting-edge technology had begun reshaping the way we grow and consume food.

Host:

• Kelly Shields, Technical Director - Fresh Produce Consortium

Speakers:

• Daniel Tristao, CEO - Crate to Plate
• James Lloyd-Jones, CEO & Founder - Jones Food Company
• Tom Bartlett, Trading Manager - Fresh Direct