RESEARCH & BIG DATA

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2.30-2.35pm

Chair Introduction

Alex Marshall, Associate Director, MorePeople

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‍2.35-2.50pm

Dr Carolina Camacho Villa, Senior Lecturer in Social and Managerial Technology, Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology, the University of Lincoln

Dr Carolina Camacho-Villa is an interdisciplinary researcher who covers themes such as farming systems, agrobiodiversity, and technological change in agriculture. Her key areas of research interest include the social aspects of agri-food technologies; particularly the design, development and deployment of agricultural robotic technologies and their contribution to global agri-food challenges. She is the Senior Lecturer in Social and Managerial Technology at the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology based at the University of Lincoln. 

Martin de la Harpe, Sustainability Consultant 

Martin de la Harpe has 25 years of experience in developing standards for horticultural supply chains. After completing an MSc in Plant Biotechnology at Wye College in Kent, and a postgraduate diploma in Plant and Soil Analysis at Wageningen Agricultural University in the Netherlands, Martin worked in the tea and coffee industry in Malawi and Kenya. Since 1997 he has been working in the floriculture supply chain; developing  technical and ethical standards and human rights due diligence. Martin’s most recent role was Head of Sustainability for Flamingo Horticulture.

Martin Collison, Director, Collison & Associates and Agrifood Advisor to Greater Lincolnshire LEP

Martin has been an agrifood consultant since 2000, a lecturer in agrifood development since 1987, and he has owned businesses and been a partner or company director of four businesses in the food chain since 1990, including companies working in agrifood consultancy, agriculture, horticulture, imports and exports. Martin has been an agrifood advisor to the Greater Lincolnshire LEP since 2014. There, he is helping to lead the development of the UK Food Valley programme, which is focused on delivering industry-led investment, including expanding the fresh produce sector. Martin also lectures on food market trends and policy, has provided assistance for numerous UK and EU agrifood and agricultural strategies and programmes, and holds positions on various agrifood committees and boards.

Presentation Title: 

Foresighting Future Workforce Needs in the Agri-Food Sector: A Pilot Study into Packhouse Skills for Automation

Presentation Synopsis: 

Dr Carolina Camacho-Villa, Martin de la Harpe and Martin Collison will present the initial findings of a pilot study they have undertaken concerning the workforce and skill shortage in the fresh produce packhouse sector. In response to the current labour crisis challenge, the team at LIAT has been investigating the implications of automation for future workforce and skills. Their research consists of a proof-of-concept case study that applies the skills’ foresighting methodology developed by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, a group of research, development and innovation centres transforming UK manufacturing. This session will reveal the significant gaps between the current apprenticeship provision and the future capabilities needs for fresh produce packhouse automation, and the recommendations to close the gaps for the job roles of technical operators, engineers, and advanced engineers.

2.55-3.10pm 

Erik Pekkeriet, Programme Manager Agro Food Robotics, University of Wageningen (The Netherlands)

Erik studied Mechanical Engineering before starting his career in maintenance management at Philips. Later he built and led a team of innovation managers at the association Greenhouse Netherlands. In 2001, Erik moved to Wageningen University & Research (WUR) to build great robots, vision sorting systems and new greenhouse production systems both for, and together with, farmers and machine manufacturers. Erik now leads the full Wageningen Robot Portfolio, and has broadened the scope to open field, livestock, fish, food and other Wageningen agri-food domains. In addition to his position at WUR, Erik is board member of the topic group Agriculture within EU Robotics, a Network Coordinator of the European AgROBOfood Digital Innovation Hub network, and a scientific board member at the European Machine Vision Association.

Presentation Title

When Will Robots Shake Hands With Growers?

Presentation Synopsis

A robot can pick fruit, carry out crop care and manage logistical operations. But the uptake of robotics has not yet broken through into the mainstream horticultural market. So, what is missing? And what is still needed to help unburden growers? In this presentation, Erik will provide an insight into state-of-the art robotics, as well as the functions and workflows that are still missing or lacking.

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3.15-3.30pm

Dr. Bhavnita Patel‍

Sector Development Manager for Agri-Food, MTC

‍Bhavnita is the Sector Development Manager for Agri-Food at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). With a decade of experience bringing technology together to provide new insights for food manufacture, Bhavnita is eager to help the agriculture industry through the development of innovative technology, and improving the agri-food supply chain.

Presentation Title

Technology Development & Automation Adoption

Presentation Synopsis‍

In this presentation, Bhavnita will discuss the need for technology development for agriculture; specifically, making equipment fit-for-purpose to improve efficiency and to address the challenges faced by the industry. Bhavnita will address the adoption of automation, and some of the barriers, including navigating technology options and limited wireless connectivity in rural areas.

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3.35-4.00pm

General Q&A

SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS

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9.30-9.35am 

Chair Introduction

Alan Forrester, COO, SoilPoint

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9.35-9.50am

Don Kester
Business Development Director, Certhon

‍Don is the Business Development Director at Certhon. He enjoys life-long experience in the international horticulture business, and was the proud owner of a 70,000-square metre high-tech vegetable facility in the Netherlands. At Certhon, Don is responsible for commercial and strategic business development; building new partnerships and growing the company worldwide. Previously, Don has held several commercial and strategic leading roles within exporting companies involved in finance, horticultural supplies, and solutions for high-tech greenhouses. He has also worked at a climate hardware and software company where he was responsible for global business strategies. Don has a great passion and ambition to expand sustainable food and flower production all over the world, which is becoming increasingly accessible thanks to Certhon’s turnkey technological solutions.

Presentation Title:
Growing Cherry Tomatoes Indoor and Year Round Without Human Labour‍

Presentation Synopsis:
During this presentation, Don will reveal all about Gronos, one of the latest agri-tech innovations developed by Certhon. This autonomous indoor farming system tackles two big issues in horticulture: saving energy and labour. Don will explain how this fully automated growing system enables tomatoes and other crops to be grown optimally indoors from start to finish, without human hands touching the fruits. He will detail how the plants are modified to grow to the ideal shorter height, and become ready for harvest in just 15 weeks. Finally, Don will share his thoughts on why the Gronos system creates the perfect environment for tomatoes; leading to a higher and consistent yield year-round, without the need for pesticides.

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9.55-10.10am

Nick Bateman, Executive Chairman, GrowPura

As the Executive Chairman of GrowPura, Nick is responsible for the strategic direction of the business to firmly establish the brand and its innovative technology as market leaders in the vertical farming hydroponics industry. Nick has his finger firmly on the pulse of both sustainable agriculture and social economic behaviour trends and demands. Plus he has the technical expertise and environmental knowledge to bring intuitive farming solutions that bridge that gap. Nick is perfectly positioned to steer GrowPura to become an industry leader thanks to his proven track record in the biotechnology and food industries, coupled with extensive financial experience from senior positions at the likes of ICI/Zeneca, Lloyds Bank, British Steel Corporation and, most recently, Marlow Foods Limited.

Presentation Title: 

How to Make Vertical Farming Sustainable

Presentation Synopsis:

The food we eat traditionally, plus the way it is produced and transported, accounts for a significant portion of every single person’s carbon footprint, land usage and water waste. Vertical farming offers a far greener, and, most importantly, a sustainable alternative to traditional farming methods. It enables crops to be grown outside of their natural habitat, eliminates long-distance shipping of foods and doesn’t require the use of environmentally harmful fertilisers. Vertical farming guarantees quality, consistency and yield. 

In his presentation, Nick will demonstrate how GrowPura’s unique, automated technology goes one step further than the vertical farming seen to date. Nick will highlight why it is the technology of the future, and how it requires less investment for a superior return; not just financially but in the quality of produce too. Nick will also describe how GrowPura’s technology requires far fewer resources and land to feed, water and grow crops; thereby presenting a greener choice at a more affordable price for both manufacturers and the end users across a host of sectors. This, as Nick will explain, will be the driver towards choosing the ethical option.  

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10.15-10.30am

Nathanael Dannenberg, Horticulture Commercial Lead, Philips Lighting UK & Ireland 

Nathanael Dannenberg is the Horticultural Commercial Lead for Philips Lighting UK and Ireland. Nathanael joined Philips Lighting in 2013 and brings with him industry and professional experience from a range of sectors. Prior to his role within horticulture, Nathanael held the position of National Sales Manager within the Retail and Hospitality End User team, where he was responsible for the delivery of major store rollouts. These focused on energy saving and carbon reduction, including the adoption of 3D printing within Marks and Spencer; saving over 60 per cent in energy, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of the replacement luminaire by over 50 per cent. Nathanael is passionate about sustainability and is a keen gardener and grower in his spare time.

Presentation Title: 

Sustainable Winter Production Using Artificial Lighting

Presentation Synopsis:

During the winter, natural light falls short of giving crops what they need to grow and flourish, whereas artificial LED lighting can extend the growing season in a sustainable, energy-efficient way. However, low-carbon food production is a must if the UK is to hit its sustainability targets; meaning reducing emissions from food production will be one of the biggest challenges. In this presentation, Nathanael will explain how LED lighting, along with ‘light recipes’, can enable growers to unlock the power of light in order to sustainably feed a growing population.

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10.35-10.50am

Jack Farmer, Co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer, LettUs Grow

Jack is the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at LettUs Grow, a world-leading aeroponic irrigation company. By profession, he is a plant biologist who specialises in controlled-environment agriculture and its use as a means to reduce agricultural pressures upon natural ecosystems. At heart, Jack is a passionate advocate for the use of social enterprise, policy and the circular economy to bring about a more sustainable future.

Presentation Title:

Aeroponic Irrigation: Scaling Efficiencies and Impact

Presentation Synopsis:

Jack will focus on how aeroponic irrigation can help growers to save resources, such as water, fertilisers, and media; as well as to enhance crop health and yields, whilst enabling the growth of totally new crops within the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industries.

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10.50-11.00am

General Q&A

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11.00-11.30am

Coffee Break

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VISIONS FOR A GREENER FUTURE 

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11.30-11.35am 

Chair Introduction

Nigel Jenney, CEO, Fresh Produce Consortium

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11.35-11.50am

Dr Phoebe Sutton, Plant Scientist, Vertically Urban

‍Dr Phoebe Sutton leads the Plant Science research conducted at Vertically Urban, a manufacturer of horticultural lighting solutions for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). She began her work with vertical farming businesses in Bristol whilst completing her Masters in Science at the University of Bristol. She then completed a PhD at Lancaster University in the field of photobiology, with a focus on plant responses to LED lighting within CEA. Phoebe is thrilled to be able to apply her knowledge and contribute further to the science of horticultural lighting at Vertically Urban to light the farms of the future.

Presentation Title: ‍

Combating Nutritional Deficiencies with Vertical Farming

Presentation Synopsis:

Poor diet is a significant risk factor for obesity and related chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. This increased disease burden has a knock-on cost to society and economic development; estimated at £27 billion today, and rising to £49.9 billion per year in 2050. Phoebe will discuss how to address this societal issue by harnessing the potential of LED lighting regimes that use photobiology, and, thereby, leverage the significant advantages of localised vertical farming to increase access to fresh, nutritionally-dense produce.

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11.55-12.10pm

Professor Derek Stewart, Director of the Advanced Plant Growth Centre, The James Hutton Institute

Professor Derek Stewart is Director of the Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC), a £27 million Tay Cities Deal regional development project at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland. He was formerly the Chair of Plant and Food Chemistry at Heriot Watt University, a post he now holds as an honorary position. For over 30 years Derek has worked at the industry-academia interface, and has led multiple (inter)national multi-partner projects that, to date, total approximately £300 million. As director of the APGC, Prof Stewart oversees the novel research, development and innovation around crops grown ‘under cover’ as well as post-harvest storage facilities. Within this remit, green biotechnology features heavily. Allied to the APGC, Derek is also on the board of Bloom Biotechnology Ltd, a joint venture in crop biotechnology between James Hutton Ltd and Epigentica Ltd. Prof Derek currently runs several projects and publishes widely on crop utility, quality and bioactivity.

Presentation Title:

Routes to Sustainable Food Production: A Scottish Snapshot

Presentation Synopsis: 

Analysis by the Food and Agriculture Organisation reports that 31 per cent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions originate from the world’s agri-food systems. With an increasing population, predicted to rise from 7 billion in 2021 to 9.7 billion in 2050, there will be an increasing demand for fresh water (30%), energy (50%) and food (50%), and, coupled with this, a need for more productive land (120 million hectares). In the meantime, we are experiencing soil erosion, biodiversity loss and significant climate change, plus weather extremes. During this presentation, Professor Stewart will discuss how the intersection of vertical farming (VF) and managed energy systems may be a route to help deliver increased levels of fresh produce, as well as lift food security and self-sufficiency. Also, Professor Stewart will explain how the industry should be able to produce food with a significantly minimised emissions footprint by linking VF to renewable energy sources.

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12.15-12.30pm

Phil Pearson, Group Development Director, APS Group

Phil is the Group Development Director for APS Group, the largest supplier of British tomatoes to the UK’s major supermarkets, and the operator of 70 hectares of glasshouses across six nurseries throughout the UK. Phil is the driving force for innovation at APS Group, which has led to the development of a number of new agritech approaches. Phil is driven to improve the sustainability of British tomato production. As a Fellow of the Institute of Horticulture and the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the British Tomato Growers’ Association, he has been involved with the implementation of many new technologies across the UK tomato industry. Phil is also a member of Defra’s Innovation and R&D Panel, and works with BEIS and other Government departments. In addition, Phil is on the NFU Horticulture and Potato Board, and works directly with BBSRC, EPSRC, and Innovate UK, to drive innovation and raise awareness of the protected horticulture sector.

Presentation Title

High-Technology Food Production: Moving Towards Net Zero‍

Presentation Topic

APS Produce is on a drive towards net zero food production. During this presentation, Phil will provide the audience with an understanding of the initiatives taken by APS Group, including: the use of third-party waste streams as feedstocks for protected horticulture; closed-loop production (using the cellulose in waste tomato leaves to produce compostable packaging), and re-using water and fertiliser to reduce input costs as well as the carbon impact of food production.

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12.35-12.50pm

Dr Harry Langford, Innovation Network Lead, Crop Health and Protection (CHAP)

With a background in interdisciplinary environmental science, soil health and sustainable agriculture, Dr Harry Langford is CHAP’s Innovation Network Lead. His role is to develop and deliver collaborative R&D in the agri-tech sector, as well as to support future sector growth by leading CHAP’s New Innovations Programme. This is a collaborative business case development programme designed to tackle sector-wide challenges and market failures, as well as to deliver realistic and impactful solutions.

Presentation Title 

Innovation to Improve Sustainable Productivity in CEA Horticulture

Presentation Synopsis

Sustainable innovation has never been a hotter topic with growers facing the compound challenge of managing the recent rises in input costs, whilst concurrently forging a path towards Net Zero production in order to provide fresh produce into the UK and global food system. Dr Harry Langford will discuss how the latest technological solutions – across lighting, environmental control, fertigation and substrates – are improving the efficiency and sustainability of production. Plus he will explain what that might mean for the future of controlled environment agriculture (CEA).

12.50-1.00pm

General Q&A

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1.00-2.30pm

Lunch

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‍POST-BREXIT BORDER REGIME

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2.30-4.00pm

Chair Introduction

Nigel Jenney, CEO, Fresh Produce Consortium

Session Title:

Introduction To Newly Published Post-Brexit Border Regime – Target Operating Model

Session Synopsis:

The new border strategy for the UK will harness a new approach to border management and reduce the friction and cost for industry and, ultimately, consumers. FPC has played a leading role in influencing and guiding the UK Government to radically change its previously planned border solutions. In FPC’s view, the original plans were simply inadequate to meet the needs of our members and required substantial improvement.

This proposed session is subject to the release by the UK Government of the new Targeted Operating Model prior to FPC Future 2023.

_{Please note that this session may not occur and is dependent on support by UK Government officials. We will confirm as soon as possible.}

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9.30-9.35am 

Chair Introduction

Jim Jefcoate, UK Director, Food Experts Solutions

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‍

9.35-9.50am 

Professor Carl-Otto Ottosen, Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark

Professor Carl-Otto Ottosen’s research focus concerns the photosynthesis of plants subjected to changes in abiotic factors, including carbon dioxide and other environmental factors. He uses the physiological responses on intact plants to build up a knowledge base to understand how to control the climate in commercial greenhouses with the aim of conserving energy. His current research includes the effects of regular or irregular light patterns as well as the effects of spectral composition of plant reactions, both in terms of photosynthesis and secondary metabolites linked to circadian rhythms and carbohydrate metabolism. The toolbox to obtain the results utilises all types of measurements of photosynthesis and its related processes; both using invasive and non-invasive measurements. Professor Ottosen and his team have developed platforms for phenotyping in greenhouses and controlled environments, initially for heat stress, which has been applied to tomatoes and wheat crops. Future work will focus on repeated stresses, including cold stress on protein crops. The systems for phenotyping are small scale and focused.

Presentation Title:

How Light Spectra Affects Plant Responses in Commercial Greenhouses

Presentation Synopsis:

Plants perceive signals from their surrounding environment and regulate their growth and development accordingly. Plants are highly sensitive to the spectral distribution of light; perceiving changes in the light spectra and intensity through several photoreceptors. In his presentation, Professor Ottosen will examine the ways in which growers can manipulate the light spectra within a greenhouse or a closed growing system to regulate plant growth and quality.

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9.55-10.10am

Dr Fabrizio Ticchiarelli, LeadBiologist, Gardin

Dr Fabrizio Ticchiarelli is Gardin’s Lead Biologist. He is responsible for plant science, grants, running trials with Gardin’s commercial and academic partners, and to lead a team of plant scientists in Gardin's own research centre. Prior to joining Gardin, Fabrizio worked at Synthace, a UK software company which helps pharmaceutical and ag-tech companies such as Syngenta, Astrazeneca and GSK to digitise and automate their R&D processes. Fabrizio’s career background is in ag-tech and plant science. He holds a PhD in Plant Science from the University of Cambridge, where he used imaging techniques and genetic tools to study the relationship between environmental conditions, phytohormones and plant growth.

PresentationTitle:

Monitoring photosynthesis: lessons learnt from adapting growth conditions to plant responses in near real-time

PresentationSynopsis:

Dr Ticchiarelli will showcase a remote sensing technology, developed by Gardin, which provides actionable insights to reduce variability in crop performance and increase productivity in the farm. Dr Ticchiarelli will discuss examples of how the technology has been used to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by the industry - the use of water and the use of supplemental lighting.

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10.15-10.30am

Will Hill, Founder and Chief Evangelist, FruPro

Will has extensive experience in the fresh produce industry, having worked with every step of the supply chain. Will was the fifth generation to work for his family business WT Hills Western, a 130-year-old premium fruit wholesaler at Western International Market in London. Then, in 2019, Will conceived the idea of transforming the siloed fresh produce supply chain and digitally connecting the B2B industry. Using the success of the ‘WT Hills Imports’ venture, founded in 2016, and a family business with 130 years of fresh produce experience, Will brought to life FruPro, an online B2B fresh produce platform, together with co-founders Ollie Morley-Fletcher (COO) and Kov Murugaratnam (CTO).

Presentation Title:

Taking Fresh Produce Into The Future

Presentation Synopsis:

The fresh produce industry finds itself at a critical moment as its supply chain faces intense pressure to boost efficiency. This cannot happen, however, with the current analog way in which it functions. During this presentation, you will hear how the online platform FruPro can help to ensure that every business has ample opportunity to trade and expand their network, with easy solutions to donate produce that would otherwise be wasted. Will will explain how using FruPro’s online B2B platform is the next step towards a modern fresh produce industry that can meet rising demands and maintain steady profits.

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10.35-10.50am

Stuart Catchpole, Inward Investment Manager, New Anglia LEP

From an initial start as a high school teacher, Stuart has built a varied career that has seen him work across many industry sectors under both public and private ownership. As a senior leader he has been responsible for the strategic development and successful delivery of operations within the Advanced Manufacturing, Bioscience, Construction and Education sectors. In his role as an Inward Investment Manager at the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), he utilises these experiences to promote Norfolk and Suffolk as an ideal destination for business on a global platform.

Dr Jonathan Clarke, Head of Business Development John Innes Centre

‍Jonathan is Head of Business Development and part of the Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation team at the John Innes Centre. He is responsible for interactions with Industry, Technology Transfer, Innovation and Enterprise. Between 2014 and 2016, Jonathan span out six companies in AgriTech, MedTech, Industrial Biotech, Food and Diagnostics. He is a non-executive Director of three companies and a Board member of AgriTech East and the Food Drink and Agriculture Board of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. Jonathan gained his BSc from the University of Leeds in 1985, and a PhD in Plant Genetics from the University of East Anglia (JIC) in 1993. He spent three years as a European Union Research Fellow at the Vlaams Institute for Biotechnology (Universität Gent, Belgium). Since 1996, Jonathan has worked at the John Innes Centre as a Project Manager on European Union research programmes into functional genomics, and as CSO of the JIC Genome Laboratory. He was appointed to his current role in 2009.

‍Presentation Title:

Plant Science for Nutrition – A High Potential Opportunity in Norfolk and Suffolk

Presentation Synopsis: 

The Plant Science for Nutrition programme from the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) capitalises on the growing market for healthy and nutritious, plant-based foods. The proposition offers the opportunity for both businesses and investors to harness Norfolk and Suffolk’s globally-renowned plant science, nutrition and health research in order to supercharge the development of nutritious food products derived from plants; right the way from concept through to commercialisation. This talk from Stuart will provide insight into how businesses can engage with the Plant Science for Nutrition programme to exploit the region’s world-leading plant science, nutrition, and health research, and, thereby, capitalise on the growing market for healthy and nutritious plant-based foods.

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10.50-11.00am

General Q&A

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11.00-11.30am

Coffee Break

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FINANCE & INVESTMENT

FPC in conjunction with UK Food Valley 

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11.30-11.35am

Chair Introduction

Martin Collison, Director, Collison & Associates and Agrifood Advisor to Greater Lincolnshire LEP

Martin has been an agrifood consultant since 2000, a lecturer in agrifood development since 1987, and he has owned businesses and been a partner or company director of four businesses in the food chain since 1990, including companies working in agrifood consultancy, agriculture, horticulture, imports and exports. Martin has been an agrifood advisor to the Greater Lincolnshire LEP since 2014. There, he is helping to lead the development of the UK Food Valley programme, which is focused on delivering industry-led investment, including expanding the fresh produce sector. Martin also lectures on food market trends and policy, has provided assistance for numerous UK and EU agrifood and agricultural strategies and programmes, and holds positions on various agrifood committees and boards.

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11.35-11.45am

Keynote Speaker

Allan Wilkinson, Head of Agrifoods, HSBC

Allan Wilkinson is a dairy farmer’s son from North Yorkshire. A graduate in Agriculture from Aberystwyth University, he commenced working for the Milk Marketing Board’s Farm Management Services in Leicestershire, before joining the Midland Bank’s Agriculture team in 1988. After working in various roles, Allan became HSBC’s Head of Agriculture in early 2010. He is currently Head of Agrifoods at HSBC UK; a role he has held for the past seven years and one which covers food chains and systems from farm to fork both in the UK and elsewhere. Additionally, Allan sits on a number of industry bodies, including: the Food and Drink Sector Council’s Exporter’s Forum, and its Agriculture Productivity Task Force, as well as the University of Exeter’s Impact Assessment of Covid on the UK food chain. Allan is a Trustee of the Prince’s Countryside Fund; Chair of the Technical Committee of the City Food and Drink Lecture; a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Farmers; and a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies.

Presentation Title:

Financing Continuing Operations and Ongoing Re-investment

Presentation Synopsis:

The fresh produce industry is a resource-intensive industry with substantial investment costs. This is true both for initial capital and its replacement, such as: buildings, infrastructure and machinery; as well as substantial operational costs, including: labour, energy, seeds/plants, fertiliser, water, packaging, transport and logistics, professional support and services. All of these costs have been rising, with 2022 alone seeing some of the largest cost rises on record. In his keynote presentation Allan will focus on the various ways in which fresh produce growers can continue to finance their current operations.

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11.45-12.15pm

Panel Discussion

• How fresh produce businesses can secure the increased capital they need to support rising input costs and capital investment needs.
• The options for financing investment in capital infrastructure and machinery, and which options should be used for what purpose.
• Tips for fresh produce businesses faced with rising costs, and the need to raise more finance to support continuing operations.
• The grants or financial assistance available to help businesses invest.

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‍Panelists:

Allan Wilkinson, Head of Agrifoods, HSBC 

Dr Iain Thomas, Head of Life Sciences, Cambridge Enterprise, University of Cambridge 

Professor Simon Pearson

Director, LIAT, University of Lincoln  

Simon is responsible for founding and developing the Lincoln Institute of Agri Food Technology (LIAT), now recognised as ‘world leading’ within the 2021 BEIS Innovation Strategy, Creating the Future. LIAT has helped to pioneer the development of advanced robotic systems, machine learning, artificial intelligence and digital systems for UK agriculture. These systems are now entering the marketplace. During 2021, some 12 Saga Thorvald robot systems, which were co-developed with LIAT, achieved the milestone of 10,000km of on-farm autonomy. In 2021, Simon co-chaired the DEFRA Automation and Robotics Review with former Secretary of State George Eustice. Prior to LIAT, Simon was Director of a farming company producing cut flowers in Lincolnshire and Cornwall. He grew up in South Lincolnshire, where his family produced vegetable and cereal crops. Simon was awarded the 2022 RASE Science and Technology Award for his contribution to the sector.

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Paul Smith 

Head of Operations, Greenborough Management & Greater Lincolnshire Growth Hub

Launched in 2015, the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub has been integral to supporting the achievement of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise’s Strategic Economic Plan. The plan sets out the ambition to create new jobs, support businesses, and increase the value of the economy in Greater Lincolnshire. Paul’s role as Head of Operations is to engage with businesses to understand exactly what they want to achieve, and how much funding is required. Based upon that, coupled with the current business circumstances, and funding opportunities, he supports and signposts businesses to the most appropriate funder or financial planner. With businesses looking for investment, Paul works with them to make certain that they have the skills and tools at their fingertips to deliver with confidence a winning pitch, and to ensure they are investment ready.

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Rachel Galbraith 

Director, Head of Agriculture & Renewables, MAF Finance

Rachel Galbraith has worked in the finance industry for 26 years, previously working at Lloyds Banking Group, as well as two other banks, before joining MAF Finance Group in 2018. Over the last 16 years, she has worked extensively on numerous renewable energy projects, including the arrangement of finance for a variety of assets such as: anaerobic digestion plants, biomass boilers and ground source heat pumps. Rachel joined MAF as Director, Head of Agriculture & Renewables and manages a portfolio of agricultural and horticultural clients; guiding them through projects and assisting with decisions including: choosing potential suppliers and installers; mitigating risk against rising energy costs; and securing new income streams. Rachel works closely with a selected group of suppliers and consultants – often supporting them through the Ofgem accreditation process. She also works with a panel of over 100 funders that enables her to match the client, asset or project to the most appropriate funder.

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Aiden Gregory

Agriculture & Renewables Relationship Manager, MAF Finance

Aiden is the Agriculture & Renewables Relationship Manager at MAF Finance Group. Aiden has a degree in economics and has worked in the finance industry ever since university; joining MAF Finance Group in 2021. He has helped to finance all kinds of renewable energy; ranging from solar panels, biomass boilers, and ground source heat pumps, to anaerobic digestion plants. In terms of the size of the projects, MAF can look at financing transactions from £25,000 all the way to £20 million. Aiden and MAF Finance Group work alongside specialist suppliers and consultants – often supporting them through the OFGEN accreditation process. MAF Finance Group has access to over 100 funding partners, which enables the firm to tailor the finance agreement to each client’s needs

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​​12.15-12.25pm

Keynote Speaker

Dr Iain Thomas, Head of Life Sciences, Cambridge Enterprise, University of Cambridge

Iain is Head of Cambridge Enterprise’s Life Sciences team at the University of Cambridge. He and his team support researchers in the commercialisation of technology across the whole life sciences spectrum; from therapeutics to agritech. The team have helped spin-out Mission Therapeutics, XO1 Therapeutics (sold to Janssen), Phoremost, Predictimmune, DIOSynVax, Storm Therapeutics, NoBACZ, Morphogenix, Apcintex and Z-Factor (the latter three now founding assets in Centessa (NASDAQ: CNTA). With colleagues at UCL and Imperial, Iain founded Apollo Therapeutics with £40m, and has gone on to raise £100m in 2021. Iain led discussions with GSK in respect of the University of Cambridge–GSK open innovation drug discovery initiative based at the SBC. Iain also led the founding of Ceres Agritech Partnership which from a standing start span out three companies (Fruitcast, Agaricus Robotics and Cellexcel) in 3 years. Iain has been an active trainer on PraxisAuril courses since 2004 and is currently the Chair of PraxisAuril. He started his scientific life with a PhD in Sydney, Australia, post docs in Oxford and Cambridge before completing an MBA at the Judge Business School in Cambridge.

Presentation Title:

Financing Innovative Technologies and New Developments in the Fresh Produce Industry

Presentation Synopsis:

The fresh produce industry needs to innovate and embrace changes, such as the move to decarbonise the economy, and must work to place sustainability at the heart of their operations. In his keynote presentation, Iain will explore how innovative practices can be developed and supported in the produce sector, and examine the role of finance in delivering this change for the future.

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12.25-12.55pm

Panel Discussion

• How to secure investment for the green transition, and whether new green finance programmes and green income streams can help the fresh produce sector.
• How the sector should approach investing in new technology they have not used before, and where the impact on costs or production are unclear.
• How the industry can work with the innovation funding system and research base to develop new ideas.
• The opportunities and risks that come with new forms of finance, such as venture capital.

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Panelists:

Dr Iain Thomas, Head of Life Sciences, Cambridge Enterprise, University of Cambridge 

Allan Wilkinson, Head of Agrifoods, HSBC

Professor Simon Pearson, Director, LIAT, University of Lincoln

‍Paul Smith, Head of Operations, Greater Lincolnshire Growth Hub

Rachel Galbraith, Director, Head of Agriculture & Renewables, MAF Finance

Aiden Gregory, Agriculture & Renewables Relationship Manager, MAF Finance

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12.55-1.00pm 

General Q&A

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1.00-2.30pm

Lunch

2.30-2.35pm

Chair introduction

Ms Claire Donovan BSc Ag

Director - 3i Technical Consulting

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‍2.35-2.50pm

Dr Diogo de Souza Monteiro, Senior Lecturer in Agribusiness, Newcastle University

Dr Diogo is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Agribusiness Management at the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES) at Newcastle University. Diogo teaches Business Economics, Marketing and Public Policy, as well as Agro-Food Economics. His research focuses on supply chain coordination to deliver quality attributes of food. An example of this research are Diogo's papers on the economics of traceability, and, more recently, his investigation of free riding in collective labels. Secondly, Diogo studies how information cues, such as labels or certification symbols, influence consumers’ food purchasing and waste choices from farm to fork. His work informs business marketing strategies as well as policy. Diogo employs survey and experimental methods in his empirical research. Currently Diogo is undertaking research into consumers’ attitudes towards sustainable diets; food waste mitigation in foodservice and households; and urban farming.

Presentation Title: 

Are Digital Technologies Aiding Consumers’ Choices?

Presentation Synopsis:

Consumers are increasingly using digital technologies to measure their behaviour and receive information about their food choices. During this talk, Dr Diogo will share the findings of recently published research into the tools that aid consumer choices of healthy meals, as well as the effects that expiry date smart labels have on consumers’ attitudes towards food waste.

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2.55-3.10pm

James Hammond

Reefer Client Manager, Maersk UK & Ireland

James has worked at Maersk for 27 years across different departments. For almost the last 20 years, he has been working with temperature-controlled cargoes, specialising in the fresh sector. James is passionate about some of the projects in which Maersk is involved in conjunction with the fresh produce industry. These initiatives are truly exciting, and James believes they will be beneficial to our environment as a whole.

‍Presentation Title:

Integrating The World With Zero Emissions

Presentation Synopsis:

Consumer behaviour now, and even more so in the future, is focusing on decarbonisation and sustainability in all matters, especially food and drink. Transport plays a major role in the supply of all foods, making it important to develop a detailed plan that can deliver zero emissions as soon as possible. Maersk has set a target to become climate neutral by 2040, and the company has put in place the milestones to make changes during this decade. The effects of those changes will be multiplied over the next decade to deliver zero emissions in good time. Join this presentation to find out how Maersk will achieve this ambitious goal.

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3.15-3.30pm

Emma Brown

Commercial Manager (Produce), FareShare

Prior to joining FareShare in 2019, Emma worked for almost five years in Research and Development for JDE, after studying Food Science & Nutrition at the University of Leeds. At FareShare, she has worked across various categories, including Ambient, Food Service, Wholesale and Frozen. Emma is currently a Commercial Manager for the produce industry, working in collaboration with organisations to ensure any surplus food is prevented from going to waste, and redistributed to charities.  

Presentation Title:

Working With FareShare To Redistribute Surplus Produce To Charities

Presentation Synopsis:

Join this presentation where Emma will explain how the produce industry can work with FareShare to reduce their food waste while helping people in need. FareShare works to fight food poverty by tackling food waste. The company takes edible surplus food from the food and drink industry and redistributes it to organisations that feed people who need it most; turning an environmental problem into a social solution.

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3.35-4.00pm

General Q&A