Programme

Technology is advancing at a breath-taking pace, and in acknowledgment of this, the programme in 2025 will focus on how engineers can ride the technology wave – to make the best use of emerging technologies and better understand the challenges and benefits of adoption, cutting through the hype to find out more about the realities of technology adoption.

8.15 Coffee and networking

9.00 - First wave

Chairperson’s welcome | Chris Buxton from CB Consulting will set the scene for the day

Presentation 1 | Nikesh Mistry, Sector Head for Industrial Automation and Test at GAMBICA will explore the latest trends in industrial automation emphasising their impact on the manufacturing landscape.

Presentation 2 | Kati Gastrow, Senior Industrial Security Engineer at Mars Inc and Kevin Ruff, Director of KNR Management Services will speak on behalf of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) about the growing importance of cybersecurity as more food production plants adopt digital technologies.

Presentation 3 | Phil Lovell, COO SmartParc Europe, will discuss the importance of collaboration, highlighting the Energy Centre at Smartparc SEGRO in Derby, which is critical to enable the business park to meet the needs of the food industry – to be able to deliver its goal of enabling low-carbon, sustainable and collaborative food production.

10.45 Coffee and networking

11:15 - Second wave

Presentation 4 | Yianni Alissandratos, Proposition Lead, Britvic will explain how Britvic's environmental sustainability strategy led him to spearhead partnerships and innovative approaches aimed at valorising liquid waste.

Technology panel discussion

You, the audience, will be able to quiz a panel of industry experts about the most important technologies that they believe food engineers should be looking at to help them ‘ride the technology wave’.

1:00 – Lunch and networking

2:00 – Third Wave

Presentation 5 | Eric Partington, Fellow of the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group and Chairman Regional Section of EHEDG for the UK will explain how ‘hygienic engineering’ can also contribute to improving operating costs.

Presentation 6 | Janet Bellamy, Associate Professor in Food Robotics and Process Automation at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing (Lincoln University), will discuss how the role of the engineer might evolve as food factories become smarter. She will also introduce the concept of Industry 5.0 which refers to robots and smart machines working alongside humans.

Presentation 7 | Stephen French, Scientific Policy Director at Institute of Food Science and Technology, will discuss ways the food industry can address the increasing need to engage STEM graduates within the food sector. He will also highlight opportunities for further engagement within the engineering profession.

3.00 –Coffee and networking

3:20 – Fourth wave

Presentation 8 | Louise Codling, CEO at the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD), will talk about how apprenticeship models are changing to meet the new skills required of engineers in the digital age. She will also be pointing out the benefits and opportunities for upskilling existing employees.

Presentation 9 | Susan Scurlock, Founder and CEO of Primary Engineer, will be discussing the importance of feeding the imagination of future engineers from a young age, and highlighting the importance of the food industry engaging in programmes such as those provided by Primary Engineer, to demonstrate the engineering opportunities in the sector.

Skills Panel discussion