This year’s FPJ Live promises an all-new format for the leading annual fruit and vegetable industry conference, combining interviews with major figures with examples of innovation and best practice.
Changing up the traditional conference format, this year’s event will put the focus on shorter, on-stage interviews combined with presentations, video and case studies from some of the most imaginative operators in the business.
The congress takes place at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on 9 October, preceded by the UK Fruit & Vegetable Awards Social the evening before.
Among those appearing at the event will be Sainsbury’s fruit buyer Finbar Cartlidge and vegetable and salad buyer Julien Roberts, who will discuss the supermarket’s buying strategy and how it intends to help boost fresh produce sales.
In FPJ Life Stories, FPJ editor Michael Barker chats in depth to Produce World directors Andrew, William and Jason Burgess about their life in farming, hobbies and how they are realigning the business for a new era.
The bosses of some of the UK’s fastest-growing companies will discuss strategy, progressing their categories and succeeding in the current environment. They include Jacqui Green, chief executive of Berry Gardens and Richard Hickson, managing director of Premier Fruits, among others.
On the hot topic of logistics, Halo managing director Gavin Knight appears as his company’s revolutionary project at London Gateway is poised to open.
Putting the focus on innovation, leading UK expert Professor Huw Jones,chair in translational genomics for plant breeding at Aberystwyth University, will explain how CRISPR gene-editing technology could change the face of fruit and vegetable production.
Eric Duncan, head of food science at Coveris, will address the controversial packaging debate and reveal new developments that could help give producers the edge.
Pulling no punches in his views of the state of the industry, prominent industry expert Professor Tim Lang of City University will give his verdict on the current uncertainty facing the trade and what it needs to survive and prosper.
NFU horticulture board and English Apples & Pears chair Ali Capper, as well as EAP operations director Sarah Calcutt, will give the trade bodies’ view and how they are helping growers get on the front foot in challenging times.
Congolese-French private chef Mick Elysée, who has caught the imagination with his fusion of African, Japanese and French cuisine, also gives his take on fresh produce in fine dining and new trends to hit the sector.
Many more speakers will be announced shortly as the lineup for the most anticipated conference and networking event of the year is confirmed.
The event is expected to book up fast, so click here to secure your place today at the heart of the debate.
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