Speaking after the event last month, Dominic Watkins, a partner and head of the firm’s food group, joined other sponsors in this video, picking out their highlights from the seminar.
“There is a positive outlook for the sector but there are some challenges too,” said Watkins commenting after the morning seminar. “Sugar is an issue the sector has to work out how to deal with,” he added.
“Most people were united in the view a tax was not the right solution for this.”
The impact of a potential exit from the European Union, the growth of export and the skills gap were highlighted as key topics by all sponsors.
‘Opinions of business leaders’
Insurance firm RSA’s director global consulting Jonathan Salter said: “It was very interesting to get the opinions of business leaders in the room – particularly around Brexit [a potential British exit of the EU], the potential of a sugar tax and the regulation around labelling and the like.”
ALcontrol Laboratories said the forum offered valuable insight into their customers’ concerns
“Hearing the comments of the business leaders was extremely valuable to help us better understand our customers’ key concerns,” said Mike McCorkell, md food and waters UK and Ireland.
“It offered very valuable business insights and helped us to reaffirmed what we understand about the market.”
The BLF was staged in DWF’s head office in the Walkie Talkie Building in central London on Wednesday January 20. The event was chaired by Paul Wilkinson, chair of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink.
- This video was produced by Laurence Gibbons.
Business Leaders’ Forum sponsors
- DWF: host sponsor
- RSA
- ALcontrol Laboratories