How to minimise disruption in an uncertain climate

Liliana joined FDF in January 2022 where she leads the economic research and analysis of the industry. She manages FDF’s wide economic reporting and commentary, ranging from general business conditions and trade to inflation and growth. Liliana has deep knowledge of the UK’s food supply chain, having worked as an economist at the BRC for over four years. Her prior experience includes academia: she earned a PhD in Economics from Clemson University, USA, and was an Assistant Professor of Economics at the American University of Sharjah, UAE for six years.

Ian Wright is a senior management adviser. He draws on over three decades of experience at ExCom and Board level in a series of major global businesses. He currently chairs the UK Government’s Food & Drink Export Council. He is a Partner at risk and reputation advisors Acuti Associates and a director of private equity business Titan Partners. He also writes a regular column for The Grocer. From 2015-2021 he was Chief Executive of the Food & Drink Federation, the voice of UK food and drink manufacturing. In that time the FDF was transformed: becoming the most visible and one of the most admired representative organisations in UK business. On the UK EU exit, the Industry response to Covid-19 and supply chain disruption & labour shortages, Ian has become one of the most respected voices on UK media. At Easter 2021 Ian and the FDF were the first to identify inflation as a major threat to the UK economy, predicting it would reach high single digits within 12 months. Before the FDF, Ian spent 14 years with Diageo plc, six of them as a member of the global executive committee. He previously worked for Boots The Chemist, Mars Confectionery and had spells in consultancy and politics. His public service experience includes membership of the UK Government Trade & Agriculture Commission and as the leader of a series of Cabinet Office reviews of Government agencies including Defence & Supply and Porton Down. In addition to his work for The Grocer he is a very regular broadcaster, speaker and frequently writes for media outlets. He was awarded the CBE for political and public service in August 2015.

Rod spent 20 years in the trade press, cutting his teeth as an award-winning journalist helping to launch The Grocer online in the middle of the 2001 foot and mouth crisis. Over his writing career, he covered all aspects of the supply chain, from the Horsemeat Scandal to the impact of Brexit and the pandemic. Now, as head of the PTF he has vaulted the fence to bring his skills to bear on supporting the industry, advising it on political and regulatory issues and lobbying government on its behalf.

Eric leads the TNA sales team globally across all the product groups to develop tailor-made solutions that are both, relevant and effective to key market trends and their challenges. His innovative business and engineering approach is at the core of his inclusive leadership style to ensure innovative solutions are delivered that help TNA customers to succeed. Eric carries with him over 3 decades of in-depth understanding of the food processing and packaging industry landscape to drive enhanced engagement with potential and existing TNA customers.

Bethan Grylls is the Editor of Food Manufacture, which commands the largest audience of any online platform dedicated solely to readers working in the UK food and drink manufacturing industry. Prior to joining Food Manufacture (part of the William Reed group), she led New Food Magazine’s content team. She has been working as a professional writer for more than a decade and was responsible for organising one of the world’s largest virtual, scientific food and beverage conferences in 2021. Bethan is a regular speaker at food and drink events and chairs Food Manufacture’s esteemed Business Leaders Forum, she is also the host for the brand’s prestigious food and drink awards, and a well-respected thought-leader in her field. Bethan serves as a technical advisor on the Clean Label Project’s UK board and is a judge for Ecotrophelia 2023. She is also responsible for National Butcher’s Week, a social event operated under the Meat Trades Journal brand.