 Next year’s Welsh Food & Drink Insight Programme Annual Conference, “Keeping ahead of the Curve” will be taking place March 10 – 14, 2025.
The Conference will feature keynote speakers from renowned global leaders in market and consumer insights discussing topics such as the economy, future thinking, retail, out of home and export, alongside case studies and expert panels.
Registration details will be posted on the Food & Drink Wales website when available.
Members can click the link below to access conference materials from last year’s 2024 Insight Conference ‘From Challenge to Success’, available in the Members area. Resources include presentation videos and slide packs.
Welsh Food and Drink Insight Conference 2024: From Challenge to Success | Business Wales - Food and drink (gov.wales)
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James has more than 25 years’ experience in the beer, wine and spirits industry. He is an experienced director of Business Development and Strategy. He has a demonstrated history of working in the drinks industry across various territories.
He has been instrumental in the development of international brands. They include Red Bull, Corona Extra, Tsingtao Beer, Lambs Rum, Whitley Neill Gin, Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer and now Wrexham Lager.
James has worked both in the UK and internationally developing high levels of expertise in sales, marketing and manufacturing. He has proven ability in the management of established businesses, mergers and acquisitions, and new start-ups.
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Review of Healthy Eating Regulations for School Food
You may already be aware that the Welsh Government has articulated a very firm commitment to strengthen health outcomes for learners in Wales and eradicate health inequalities for future generations. The Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales Delivery Plan 2022-2024 identifies our commitment to; ‘Review the regulations on school food nutrition in line with the latest nutritional standards and guidelines, and update current standards’
Now that the roll out of universal free school meals to primary schools in Wales has been completed we plan to revise the Regulations and Guidance which apply in all maintained schools in Wales.
This review will consider, and where appropriate, reflect the latest available scientific recommendations and advice on nutrition. The policy intent remains to ensure that children and young people are offered nutritionally balanced school food and drink, and that healthy eating is promoted in schools with the aim of reducing both health and attainment inequalities.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education in her Oral Statement on the 17th of September in relation to Universal Primary Free School Meals highlighted the review of Healthy Eating Regulations and the associated timeframe, which included: ‘A public consultation is being developed for Spring 2025 and the revised regulations will be made and laid before the Senedd in January 2026, coming into force shortly after’.
The Welsh Government welcomes views from all stakeholders and encourages feedback on the proposals at the public consultation in Spring 2025.
Climate Adaptation Readiness Assessment for the Food & Drink Industry
A new online Climate Adaptation Readiness Assessment is now available to help food and drink businesses evaluate their vulnerability to climate change. This tool assists businesses in identifying their strengths and areas for improvement in climate preparedness.
The assessment provides immediate feedback on eight key areas: Operations and Supply Chain, Energy and Resource Management, Water Management, Product and Packaging, Governance and Policy, People, Financial and Legal, and Customer and Consumer Engagement.
click through URL to Sustainability tools for your business - Food & Drink Wales
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Stuck for Christmas gift ideas? Look no further than this exclusive Christmas Welsh GI selection.
Available now for pre-order £36 plus £6.95 next day delivery.
GI stands for Geographical indication, all of the products in this gift feature the GI label. This selection includes 3 Single Malt Welsh Whisky PGI , a Da Mhile 5cl, Single Malt Welsh Whisky PGI, an Aber Falls 5cl, Single Malt Welsh Whisky PGI and a Penderyn 5cl, Single Malt Welsh Whisky PGI. Carmarthen Ham PGI, Caws Cenarth's Traditional Welsh Caerffili PGI and Halen Mon PDO Fudge.
For more information on Welsh Geographical Indications, go to New UK Geographical Indication (GI) Schemes | Business Wales - Food and drink
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Food & Drink Skills Wales Expert Group identifies gaps and opportunities in the industry
The Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru | Food & Drink Skills Wales programme recently called upon ambassadors of the food and drink industry to form a specific Expert Group to identify skills gaps and opportunities within the industry.
Chaired by Neil Burchell, experienced Mentor and Director of The Welsh Whisky Company; the Expert Group identified the main areas of which the Food & Drink Skills Wales programme could contribute towards and address.
Read more here
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‘Food Futures’ inspires the next generation
The Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru | Food & Drink Skills Wales programme’s NEW Educational Resources were launched on Monday, 25 November at the RWAS Winter Fair; a resource to empower young people to explore the vast opportunities in the food and drink industry.
Read more here
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Investor Ready Programme
Since 2018, the Investor Ready Programme has supported over 240 Welsh food and drink businesses, helping raise £22M+ in investment and safeguard thousands of jobs. The programme provides expert coaching, financial reviews, and investor connections to help businesses prepare for growth. To find out how the Investor Ready Programme can support your growing business visit: Investor Ready.
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Wales Horticulture Cluster members are being given the opportunity to complete the Small Supplier Standard, devised by Farming Connect Horticulture. The standard has been introduced to enable growers looking to supply to local distributors, to demonstrate food safety and traceability in their business, however, the standard is open for any commercial horticulture business registered with Farming Connect. Growers are able to access support to complete the standard through the FC Horticulture team and the Horticulture Cluster provides the chance to develop, collaborate and share good practice with peers. Visit our page to learn more about what's on offer.
 Calling all Welsh food and drink businesses – register now for the Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2025 Brokerage “Meet the Buyer” event on 22-23 October 2025 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales, Celtic Manor Resort, Newport.
Showcase your products to 300 leading industry buyers from retail and foodservice, network with key players, and discover innovative products and trends.
Highlights include 200 new products within a large-scale product showcase for buyers.
To take part, companies are required to have accreditation including SALSA or BRCGS.
The application window closes on 18 December 2024. For more information, email: foodanddrinkwales@mentera.cymru.
click through URL to https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/how-we-can-help/blas-cymru-taste-wales
 Registration is now open for Food & Drink Wales Scale Up Conference 2025 which takes place at the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea on 6th February 2025. The conference’s theme, "Navigating Risk, Building Resilience," will delve into financial, operational, and supply chain risks, with climate change as a key focus. Learn from industry experts and fellow food and drink manufacturers through presentations, panel discussions and 1:1 conversations.
8 January 2025 - Free online Sustainability training
10 – 14 March 2025 - Insight Conference 2025: Be ahead of the Curve
11 - 14 March 2025 - Foodex, Japan
4 - 11 April 2025 - FHA, Food & Beverage, Singapore
22 May 2025 - The Wales Food and Drink Awards - Deadline for Entry: 21st February 2025
25 June 2025 - The UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference 2025 Tickets, Wed 25 Jun 2025 at 09:00 | Eventbrite
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