12 Oct 2026

Food, Drink & Hospitality Week announces 2027 ambassadors

Food, Drink & Hospitality Week announces 2027 ambassadors

Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, the UK's biggest celebration of industry innovation, has announced its ambassador lineup for 2027's edition, which takes place on 5-7 April at Excel London. 

Representing IFE, IFE Manufacturing, Speciality & Fine Food Fair, HRC, The Pub Show, and Hospitality Tech360, the ambassadors span hospitality operations, retail, wholesale, manufacturing, technology and industry associations. Together, they bring a broad range of expertise and a shared commitment to supporting the businesses and people shaping these sectors. 

The ambassadors will help champion the opportunities the events offer to discover innovation, exchange knowledge and build valuable business relationships, bringing together influential voices with expertise across product development, sourcing, wholesale, retail and the wider food supply chain. 

Isabelle McKeever, Event Manager for IFE and IFE Manufacturing, comments: “Our ambassadors bring valuable perspectives from across the food and drink industry, with an understanding of what it takes to develop products, reach buyers and build successful businesses. Their expertise reflects the breadth of IFE and IFE Manufacturing, connecting the ideas and capabilities behind a product with the opportunities to bring it to market.  

"We’re delighted to work with them for 2027 to champion innovation, encourage knowledge sharing and help our visitors and exhibitors make connections that support their next stage of growth.” 

The 2027 Food, Drink & Hospitality Week Ambassadors are:  

IFE and IFE Manufacturing 

  • James Bielby, Chief Executive, Food & Drink Wholesale UK (FWD) 

  • Karen Green, Speaker, Author and Consultant, Buyerology Ltd 

  • Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry 

  • Andy Richardson MBE, Chairman, Frive; Partner, European Food and Farming Partnerships 

  • Dr Paul Sheldrake, Consultant & Director, Focus Food Solutions 

  • Richard Werren, Global Director Retail, Consumer & Food, BSI 

  • Amy Wilkinson, Founder and Podcaster, Fearless Foodies 

Speciality & Fine Food Fair 

  • John Farrand, Managing Director, Guild of Fine Food 

  • Genevieve Fitch, Supplier Relationship Manager, Ocado Retail Ltd 

  • John Gill, Head of Trading and Supply, Booths 

  • Andrew Goodacre, CEO, Bira 

  • Matthew Hopkins, Founder & CEO, IND!E Collection 

  • Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry 

  • Laura Roberts, Founder, Laura’s Larder 

  • Vhari Russell, Founder and Managing Director, The Food Marketing Experts 

  • Mark Wiltshire, Co-Founder and Director, Diverse Fine Food 

HRC 

  • James Bielby, Chief Executive, Food & Drink Wholesale UK (FWD) 

  • Katie Deem, Director, 4C Associates 

  • Lee Donkin, Managing Director, Cedabond 

  • Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry 

  • Mark Perkins, Executive Pastry Chef, Rosewood London 

  • Mark Reynolds, National Chairman, Craft Guild of Chefs 

  • Robert Richardson, Chief Executive, Institute of Hospitality 

  • Anna Sebastian, Founder, Anna Sebastian Hospitality 

The Pub Show 

  • Steve Alton, CEO, British Institute of Innkeeping 

  • Cassie Davison, Author, Stand Out Hospitality

  • Mike Dove, Operator, Three Horseshoes, Witney 

  • Tommy Higgs, Operator, Three Horseshoes, Witney 

  • Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry 

  • Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive, British Beer & Pub Association 

  • Tim Skinner, Hospitality Consultant and Publican, Timothy Skinner Limited 

Hospitality Tech360 

  • Matt Bell, Managing Director, Mollie’s 

  • William Connors, International Service Delivery Manager, Starbucks 

  • Chris Fletcher, Founder & CEO, Stacked 

  • Tommy Giraux, Head of Restaurant Systems, Honest Burgers Ltd 

  • Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry 

  • Tom James, Managing Director, Bill’s Restaurants 

  • Mitz Patel, Global Head of Information Technology Delivery, Soho House 

  • Jane Pendlebury, CEO, HOSPA 

  • Kian Yazdi, Chief Executive Officer, Tops Pizza

To find out more about everything happening as part of IFE and IFE Manufacturing 2027, taking place on 5-7 April at Excel London as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, visit ife.co.uk or ifemanufacturing.co.uk.  

 

 

 

Loading