Insights from women shaping convenience retail at UK Food and Drink Shows
A major focus of the 2025 UK Food & Drink Shows will be shining a spotlight on the women shaping the industry.
Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from Monday 7th to Wednesday 9th April, the event brings together businesses from across the food and drink industry.
Visitors will have the chance to see the latest innovations, network and gain invaluable insights from a packed program of speakers and presentations.
This year, part of the program will be a series of panels featuring female leaders in the convenience, hospitality, manufacturing and grocery sectors.
The convenience panel, called ‘The female leaders shaping convenience’, takes place at 11.45am Monday 7th April on the show’s Convenience Store Stage.
It will include Valerie Aston, director at Proudfoot Supermarkets; Katharine Challinor, head of independent franchise and new business, Morrisons; and Ruth Fawcett, associate director of wholesale & convenience at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, who will be talking to Alice Leader, senior wholesale & convenience reporter at The Grocer.
The 2025 UK Food & Drink Shows comprises four shows that each target a sector of the food and drink industry.
National Convenience Show provides a platform for the convenience retailing sector to come together, from suppliers and wholesalers through to retailers.
Food & Drink Expo provides buyers from retail, hospitality, wholesale, foodservice and manufacturing with information and product sourcing opportunities. To reflect the growth in the UK eating out market and continued blurring of the lines in the food and drink sectors, The Restaurant Show is this year integrated into Food & Drink Expo.
Farm Shop & Deli Show brings together hundreds of suppliers to showcase the best of local and speciality produce to retailers and buyers.
Foodex Manufacturing Solutions is the UK’s leading trade event for the food and drink processing, packaging and logistics industries.
Once again, UK Food & Drink Shows will feature a packed programme of expert speakers, insightful panels and inspiring demonstrations on topics and trends that are driving the industry.
New themed areas are being introduced including the Coffee Zone, the Packaging Zone, the Future Food Zone and the Business Advice Hub, which will provide access to free business advice and services.
Also new for this year will be dedicated street food areas serving a wide selection of exciting dishes and snacks to visitors.
To ensure visitors make the most of their visit, an online digital event companion will offer a comprehensive event guide, interactive floorplan, seamless indoor navigation and real-time notifications.
UK Food & Drink Shows is organised by market-leading business information provider William Reed, which publishes digital and print media including The Grocer, and organises prestigious awards, business events and conferences.
“At a time of continuing challenges in the shape of high input prices and rising employment costs, alongside the pressure on consumer spending, the shows offer an opportunity to gain invaluable insight and inspiration,” said William Reed exhibitions managing director Andrew Reed.
To find out more and register for free tickets visit the National Convenience Show website.
