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The organisers of Foodex 2014 – the UK’s premier trade event for the food and drink processing, packaging and logistics industries, have confirmed an extensive seminar schedule where a panel of experts across the full industry spectrum will host live discussions on some of the industry’s most pressing topics.

Run over three days (24-26 March 2014) at the NEC, Birmingham, visitors can join Keith Newton, CILT and SCALA Consulting as he takes the stage to address the importance of collaboration across the supply chain. Keith will be joined by representatives from Fowler Welch, a leading FMCG supply chain organisation, and the Fresh Connection UK 2013 champions from Kimberley-Clark who will share their experience as winners of the SCALA competition – an innovative programme for developing current and future managers at all levels within the industry.

Visitors can also attend a masterclass with Channel 4 stars The Fabulous Baker Brothers which will see brothers Tom and Henry share their usual mixture of crowd-pleasing entertainment and informative culinary knowledge on the best ingredients.

Further informative talks are set to follow with Campden BRI representative, Steve Spice addressing the European Union’s Food Information to Consumers (FIC) regulations with advice on how to ensure food and beverage labels adhere to changing regulations, followed by Lord Rooker, former chairman of the Food Standards Agency who, joined by a panel of speakers, will talk about the horsemeat scandal – one year on.

Other speakers to take the stage at Foodex 2014 include Matt Hindle, Policy Manager for the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) who will explain how anaerobic digestion can make organic ‘waste’ work and what benefits are available to businesses looking to integrate an Anaerobic Digestion plant into an existing site.

Transforming Sustainability

Sustainability, renewable energy, food traceability and plugging the skills gap will be the focus of the seminar sessions on day two, where Richard Gueterbock, Managing Director for Clearfleu will speak on changing waste into energy. Representatives from the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink and the Institute of Food Science and Technology will also discuss the skills gap and the opportunities for new recruits. 

Keeping the focus on food traceability and supply chain management, sessions on food fraud with Steve Garrett from the Campden BRI will reflect on the most recent incidents to affect the food industry. Chris Sturman, Chief Executive for the Food Storage and Distribution Federation (FSDF) and chairman for the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s Food Logistics Forum will also take the stage to address sustainable packaging as well as a host of other hot topics.

Former Conservative party politician and Cabinet Minister RH Michael Portillo will also join Foodex visitors on the centre stage, introducing topical debates on the latest industry challenges and developments with food industry business leaders. 

Supply Chain Strategies

Keith Newton will again join visitors on the final day of the show for his second session at Foodex 2014. Keith, SCALA Senior Partner and Secretary General for the Chartered Institute of Logistics will discuss the need to put service at the heart of every supply chain process. Campden BRI will also be featured in the seminar sessions when Roy Betts, Head of Food Microbiology highlights the changes in microbiological risks and takes a quick look into what we can expect in the future.

Talks Designed For Your Industry by Your Industry

For visitors looking for sector specific talks, a range of sessions will be available that address key industries. For example, visitors can join John Mettrick of JW Mettrick & Son Ltd for a butchery masterclass, or Ms Cupcake (Mellisa Morgan) who will demonstrate the versatility of alternative ingredients and vegan substitutes for cake recipes. While Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK will give her argument for benchmarking the UK’s innovation and the importance of addressing industry best practices.

The final session for Foodex 2014 and returning to the NEC following its success at the 2012 event, will see the Great British Bounce Back return to showcase best practice examples from across the food and drink industry to recognise those businesses going the extra mile and investing in the future of the UK’s manufacturing industries.

There is still to apply and vote! So if your company has for example, significantly reduced energy consumption, invested in next generation workforce through apprenticeships or developed the supply chain to ensure traceability, this award is for you. To enter, visit www.foodex.co.uk/GBBB and tell us why your organisation should be crowned the 2014 Great British Bounce Back Champion.

Foodex is co-located with Food & Drink Expo, incorporating Farm Shop & Deli Show and the National Convenience Show. Foodex 2014 will also feature competitions such as the NFMFT National Meat Products Competition and Premier Young Butcher Competition 2014. The exhibition is free to attend – visitors can register via the website. Visitor badges are valid across all three days of the show and will allow entry into co-located shows. As this is a trade show, strictly no under 16s will be admitted.

For more information on Foodex 2014, please visit www.foodex.co.uk or join the conversation on Twitter (@Foodex #FDX2014) or the Foodex 2014 LinkedIn group.