The UK food system’s future depends on progress in five areas: stronger supply chains, better health outcomes, sustainable growth, future-ready talent, and long-term investment. As the food system continues to evolve, it is essential to address these interconnected areas to ensure a resilient, healthy, and investible food system.
IGD’s Future of the UK Food System conference will take place on 21 October 2026 at The Brewery, London, bringing together leaders from across the food system. The event demonstrates IGD’s ability to create a platform for industry leaders to come together and discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Industry Leaders Gather to Discuss Shared Challenges
The event will feature Sarah Bradbury, CEO of IGD, and Simon Roberts CBE, CEO of Sainsbury’s, exploring how to collaborate to build a resilient, healthy, and investible food system. They will discuss the importance of cross-sector collaboration and how it can help turn shared ambition into practical action across the issues that will shape the future of UK food.
A panel discussion will follow, featuring leaders from Tesco, Greggs, Greencore, Sofina Foods Europe, and The Food Foundation, discussing how organisations are implementing change and where they see the greatest opportunities to accelerate progress.
Examining the Role of Agriculture
The conference will examine the role of agriculture in building a future-fit food system, with leaders from AHDB, Bord Bia, the Agricultural Industries Confederation, Alltech, and the NFU sharing perspectives on resilience, competitiveness, and innovation.
Additional sessions will explore the economic and policy conditions needed to unlock investment into the food system, shopper trends, and long-term decisions that will determine the future health, resilience, and sustainability of the food system.
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Delegates will also take part in specialist breakout discussions focused on resilience and sustainability, health, workforce development, and supply chain transformation.
Sarah Bradbury, CEO of IGD, said: “The resilient and thriving food system of the future won’t be built by a single business, sector or policy decision. It will be shaped by the choices we make and the actions we take together.”
Many of us across the food system understand what needs to change. The challenge now is accelerating progress at scale. This event explores the practical solutions that will help create a better future sooner.
The event will take place on 21 October 2026 at The Brewery, London, and tickets are available now, with more information available at IGD’s website.
The Future of the UK Food System conference is a critical event for anyone involved in the food system. By bringing together leaders from across the food system, the conference will provide a unique opportunity for delegates to engage with others, share their experiences, and learn from the latest research and expertise.
