The UK food manufacturing sector does an incredible job in keeping the nation fed and ensuring the food it produces is safe. But new threats are constantly emerging – from microbiological hazards to foreign bodies and allergens, to the impact of geopolitical issues and climate change on supply.
In the first part of our annual Food Safety Briefing series, we reflect on some of the biggest lessons learned in recent times, and how we can work more effectively and collaboratively to enhance our food safety further.
What: Key lessons from before and new threats on the horizon
When: 14 October 2026 at 3pm BST
Click here to register for the Food Safety Briefing 2026.
Meet the speakers
The session brings together four industry representatives:
Tina Potter, Head of prevention at the Food Standards Agency
As prevention lead, Tina Potter oversees national efforts to reduce food incidences and lessen their impact through a proactive, prevention first, intelligence-led approach.
With extensive experience across incident management, regulatory strategy, and cross-government and cross industry collaboration, she has been instrumental in shaping prevention-focused responses to emerging food risks.
Throughout her career, she has led responses to a range of high-profile incidents, including allergen mislabelling recalls, contamination events, complex supply chain disruptions. She also worked on the front line during the FSA’s response to 2013 horsemeat crisis.
Potter has an extensive understanding of risk, resilience, and the importance of clear communication during complex situations.
Her presentation will take viewers through current and future threats, the work the FSA is undertaking in prevention, and the importance of root cause analysis.
Roy Kirby, partner at FoodSafERM
Roy Kirby is a prominent figure in the food safety landscape, with more than three decades of experience that spans blue chip companies, regulators and academia.
During this time, he served as the chief food safety officer at Mondelez and was the former co-chair of the Global Food Safety initiative.
At Food-Safe-ERM, he is dedicated to developing thinking on the future of food safety management and helping organisations manage food safety risk.
In his presentation, Kirby will be looking at how technical teams can ensure their voice is heard in the boardroom.
Paul Bradley, senior product marketing director at TraceGains
Paul Bradley is a food industry technology leader focused on helping manufacturers strengthen food safety, compliance, and supply chain resilience through better data and digital transformation.
Over his career, he has partnered with some of the world’s most dynamic brands, helping them harness digital innovation to strengthen food safety, compliance, and operational performance.
A passionate yet pragmatic advocate for AI and automation, he champions technology as a critical enabler for building resilience, transparency, and scale in today’s complex global food system.
His presentation looks at the risks outdated systems and processes are having on businesses and the ways in which technology can and can’t help.
Darren Carvell, national account manager at HVDS
Darren Carvell has spent eight years at HVDS - the UK air hygiene and ventilation company that specialises in food and drink manufacturing.
As national account manager, he advises manufacturers across the UK on the air filtration and ventilation controls that protect product from airborne contamination and stand up to audit.
Carvell will join the session for the live Q&A that follows on from the presentations. He will bring his comprehensive understanding of how air quality, ventilation and extraction affect food safety - from contamination risk and allergen control to audit outcomes.
Register to watch Food Manufacture’s next Food Safety Briefing, here.
Part two of the Food Safety Briefing, The Future of Food Safety Testing, will focus on tools, technologies and innovation.
The session will air on 21 October 2026.
