Sebastian Emig
Director General
European Snacks Association (ESA)
Sebastian has been the Director General of ESA since 2012, representing over 200 members from the manufacturing and supplying side as well as national trade associations in the European snacks industry. In his daily work he ensures that members’ interests are considered in the European policy-making process.
His main objective is the further understanding and promotion of the savoury snacks sector through collaboration with EU institutions, NGOs and media.
Sebastian also chairs FoodDrinkEurope’s (European FDF) Nutrition and Health Working Group, as well as the Food Taxation Taskforce.
Joanne Burns
Reformulation for Health manager
Food and Drink Federation Scotland
Funded by the Scottish Government, the Reformulation for Health programme was established to support SME food and drink businesses across Scotland to make commonly consumed products healthier. Joanne started as manager at the programme launch and has supported a wide range of manufacturers to improve the health of their products from smaller local businesses to some of Scotland’s best loved brands
Blonnie Whist
Insight Director
Lumina Intelligence - Food & Drink
Resident storyteller at Lumina Intelligence, Blonnie’s mission is to “make data do more”.
Skilled in thought-leadership, she channels research into actionable insight that aligns businesses with consumer needs. Blonnie has previously won awards for her innovative approach to insight in the Beer, Wine and Spirits category.
Psychologist, painter, and badminton enthusiast. You will most likely find Blonnie drinking natural wine in east London.
Kristy Lewis
Founder and Chief Visionary Officer
Quinn Snacks
Out of frustration with the chemicals and artificial ingredients in her favourite childhood snacks, Kristy set out to revolutionise the snacking space with the first and only gluten-free pretzel nuggets and gluten-free pretzels made from wholegrain sorghum. For the past 12 years, Quinn has also been working to change to our food system through ingredient transparency and sourcing partnerships with farmers working to advance regenerative agriculture. Kristy has been highly acclaimed for her work, having been recognised by Whole Foods Market as a woman food producer ‘Raising the Bar’ and one of Fortune magazine’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs.
Gill Hyslop
Editor
BakeryandSnacks
Gill Hyslop is Editor of BakeryandSnacks. She has been in the magazine industry for over 30 years, having worked on numerous titles and fields, including food and beverage, jewellery, travel, leisure, IT, government, health and others, on both B2B and consumer titles, in positions from deputy editor, editor, editor-in-chief to publisher. Gill was previously editor of Food Review, the South African monthly food trade journal. She has also worked in the food industry as a chef, having owned her own award-winning restaurants in the Natal Midlands in South Africa; working on charter yachts in the Mediterranean; and as a contract chef in Tavira on the Algarve, before joining William Reed.