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.
Date: Tuesday, 17 March 2026
Time: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh University Campus, Pollock Halls
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.
Find out more about our fantastic line-up of speakers here.
Questions? Click here to find out more on our FAQs page.
Registration for this event has now closed.
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.
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Registration and Arrival Coffee
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM: Welcome and Objectives
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM: The UK Food and Drink Landscape
A fast-paced, deep dive led by IGD’s Graham McLean together with IGD senior insight analysts, Nichola Gallagher and Alex Rowberry, 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.
11:30 AM - 11:45 AM: Morning Refreshment Break
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM: 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.
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM: Insight in Conversation: Expert Q&A
To close the morning, Graham McLean 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.
12:45 PM - 13:30 PM: Lunch and Networking
13:30 PM - 14:40 PM: Channel Sessions
14:40 PM - 14:50 PM: Break for Session Change
14:50 PM - 16:00 PM: Channel Sessions
16:05 PM - 16:45 PM: Insight in Conversation: The Operators' View – Rounding off this packed day, Graham McLean 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.
16:45 PM - 17:00 PM: Closing Remarks
17:00 PM: Event Ends
Channel Sessions
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 Sainsbury's, led by Callum Nimmo, Senior Buyer at Sainsbury’s. 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, and Tom Fender, Development Director, both 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 along with Dean Wilson-Hartles, Director of Food & Drink Development at The Restaurant Group Concession, 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 Ben Hedley, Supply Management UK&I Segment Business Partner at Sodexo, to gain an exclusive insight into the consumer dynamics and operational considerations for successfully navigating this high profile channel.
TICKET PRICES
Registration for this event has now closed.
Members in Applicable Tiers – £200 + VAT
Non-Member Standard – £400 + VAT
Questions? Click here to find out more on our FAQs page.
Delivered in Partnership:
