)
)
)
Bringing you a compilation of the biggest trends facing the industry from some of the most knowledgeable industry leaders, recorded live at IFE Manufacturing, part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week 2026.
Breaking the UK with sizzling socials and masterful marketing
This session explored how brands successfully entered and scaled in the UK’s competitive food and drink market. Vhari Russell, founder of The Food Marketing Experts, shared practical strategies on building a strong UK-focused proposition, creating impactful marketing and PR campaigns, and using influencers to drive awareness and sales. She highlighted common pitfalls for international brands and explained how to adapt messaging, channels and partnerships for UK audiences. The session provided clear, actionable insights on positioning products, securing media coverage, and accelerating growth.
Presenter:
- Vhari Russell, Founder - The Food Marketing Experts
FDEA Masterclass: What buyers really want. Winning on pitch, price, promos and partnerships
Always wanted to know how to get inside the mind of an international buyer? This session explored what buyers looked for in product pitches, pricing and partnerships. Expert panellists discussed how compelling pitches, effective promotions and strong partnerships helped capture attention, sharing real-world examples of what worked and how to build successful commercial relationships.
Moderators:
- Barney Mauleverer, Chairman - FDEA
- Katie Birrell, Managing Director - FDEA
Speaker:
- David Morrin, Commercial Director - Wholefoods Wholesale
Forget ads, let your brand story do the talking!
Hosted by Ben Ebrell from SORTED Food, this session explored how brands cut through the noise by focusing on storytelling over traditional advertising. Ben and his panellists shared practical tips and examples on creating engaging long-form content, crafting authentic narratives, and turning everyday moments into compelling stories to build connection, awareness, and loyalty.
Moderator:
- Ben Ebbrell, Co-founder - Sorted Food
Speakers:
- Nick Evans, Managing Partner - Pensara Group Ltd
- Oliver Deans, Managing Director - Made With Syrup
- Rob Llewellyn, Director - Story9
Judged and trusted: How recognition accelerates growth in the UK
Entering the UK food and drink market came with challenges, from meeting buyer expectations to balancing innovation, quality and commercial appeal. This session explored how winning awards accelerated market entry, built trust and elevated brand presence. The UK Quality Food & Drink Awards panel shared insights on what buyers looked for and how packaging, taste, storytelling and positioning influenced success, highlighting the role of awards as a mark of quality.
Moderator:
- Simon Wright, Chair of Judges - UK Quality Food & Drink Awards
Speakers:
- Andrew Bird, Consultant Buying Director
- Michelle Charrington, Business Development Director - Invest Northern Ireland
- Stephen Minall, Founder - FDReviews
Supermarket sweep: What it takes to win with UK retailers
This session revealed how food and drink brands successfully launched, listed and scaled in UK supermarkets, using real-world case studies. Experts from Subrosa and Aagrah Foods shared how to tailor propositions, engage buyers, and communicate commercial value to turn listings into lasting success.
Moderator:
- Rachel O'Brien, Co-Founder and Director - Subrosa Ltd
Speakers:
- Alberto Volpe, Direttore Generale and Director - Italia del Gusto Consortium and Ciao Gusto Ltd
- Amanda Peberdy, Co-Founder and Director - Subrosa Ltd
- Natasha Fishwick, Head of Supply and Operations - Subrosa
- Shezad Aslam, Founder - Aagrah Foods
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
)
)