Join an exclusive, insight-led day built for ambitious Scottish food and drink producers ready to win in 2026 and beyond. Delivered by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership's programmes The Knowledge Bank and The Academy, this high-impact, full-day event brings together exclusive insights, route to market understanding, and expert perspectives from leading UK insight agencies and high-profile retailers/foodservice operators.
With a mix of presentations and Q&A sessions, you’ll gain a rare, behind-the-scenes understanding of how shoppers and consumers are changing, where growth is really coming from, and how to turn insight into real business opportunities.
AGENDA
As well as the opportunity to network and build connections with other industry professionals, the agenda will include a range of opportunities to learn and explore the market.
Morning Session
The UK Food and Drink Landscape – A fast-paced, deep dive led by IGD’s Graham MacLean together with IGD market experts, unpacking the macro-economic forces shaping food and drink, the latest UK grocery and foodservice market outlooks, evolving channel dynamics, and the key shopper and consumption shifts driving growth opportunities.
A Perspective on Scotland – Building on the UK outlook, this session explores the Scottish food and drink landscape through fresh data and expert interpretation from Lesley Ann Gray, Worldpanel by Numerator, and Rhona Lawson, The Knowledge Bank, revealing where Scottish brands can compete, grow, and win.
Insight in Conversation: Expert Q&A – To close the morning, Graham MacLean will host a live, interactive Q&A, giving delegates the opportunity to probe deeper, challenge assumptions, and explore practical implications directly with the morning presenters.
Afternoon Session
Delegates can select two out of four specialist, channel-led sessions, each packed with relevant insight, practical guidance, and operational know-how. Designed to help you navigate each channel effectively, these sessions turn data into actionable strategies you can apply immediately in your business.
Multiple Grocery Channel Breakout – Join this session to discover how HFSS legislation is shaping the retail landscape, with expert insights from Lesley Ann Gray, Worldpanel by Numerator, and strategic considerations for trading successfully with Tesco, led by Jill Sutherland, Buying Manager - Local Sourcing. Joanne Burns, Reformulation Manager for Health from the Food and Drink Federation Scotland will also participate and convey the support available to Scottish suppliers within this high focus area.
Convenience Channel Breakout – Designed to provide an insight into the world of independent convenience stores, symbol groups, and delivered wholesale operations, Jayne Webb, Director of Insight from TWC, will be joined by Stephen Brown, CJ Lang, to bring deep channel expertise, backed by leading data sources, shopper research, market insights and operational considerations for successfully navigating this increasingly important channel.
Foodservice Channel (Travel & Leisure) Breakout – Our partners at IGD will be joined by Dean Wilson Hartles, Director of Food & Drink at The Restaurant Group, where we will share key and up to date insights, consumer and market data, and an exclusive overview of operating in this key and growing channel.
Foodservice Channel (Contract Catering & Events) Breakout – Join Andy Crossan, Head of Insights at Lumina Intelligence, together with an expert foodservice operator, to gain an exclusive insight into the consumer dynamics and operational considerations for successfully navigating this high profile channel.
Insight in Conversation: The Operators' View – Rounding off this packed day, Graham MacLean will bring our key operational partners together to host a final, interactive Q&A, once more giving delegates the opportunity to hear the collective views and parting thoughts from our retail and foodservice experts.
TICKET PRICES
Member Standard – £200 + VAT
Non-Member Standard – £400 + VAT
Delivered in Partnership:
