Soil Association Certification Organic Trade Conference

Organic: Building on Success in a New Era

Thursday 10th October 2024, 11:30am-5:00pm, Online Event

We’re a year on from launching our sector-wide vision for making organic available, accessible and affordable to all, ‘Organic For All’, and with a newly elected government, there’s cause for optimism on how we get more organic into the hands and mouths of people across the country.

Join us online for our annual Organic Trade Conference where we’ll explore the successes, innovations and insights that are already helping organic to be more valued, supported and available, as well as the opportunities that lie ahead for the sector.

Agenda

11:30: Welcome & introduction

Part I - Organic For All

• Organic for All: A Year On – Sarah Compson, Director Standards Innovation, Soil Association
  
• International Guest Speaker – Michaël Wilde, Founder & Bio Ambassador, The Organic Embassy, The Netherlands.
  • A fascinating deep dive into the dynamics of the Dutch organic market, supermarket strategies and the development of organic cities and regions
• Fireside chat and Q&A – Lee Holdstock, Soil Association Certification, in conversation with Michaël Wilde and Sarah Compson

Lunchbreak

Part II - Maintaining Market and Consumer Momentum

• The UK organic market: key insights on supermarket performance & trends – Mike Watkins, Head of Retailer & Business Insight, NIQ (NielsenIQ)
• Cutting through to consumers – Panel discussion and Q&A: 

Diet, health and sustainability are increasingly important factors in shoppers’ choices, and many are turning to organic for the benefits it delivers. Our experts will explore why today’s consumer is choosing organic, and how the sector can collaborate to amplify the organic story. Chaired by Alex Cullen, Commercial & Marketing Director, Soil Association Certification, with panellists: 

• Mike Watkins, Head of Retailer & Business Insight, NIQ
• Niamh Noone, Senior Marketing Manager, Soil Association Certification
• Dr Lucy Williamson, Registered Nutritionist & Founder of The Gut Project, Lucy Williamson Nutrition
• Megan Brown, Marketing Manager, Frugi

Part III - Scaling Organic: Serving up Success

• Accessibility: How are we getting organic into people's hands? – Panel discussion and Q&A: 

Food which is good for people and the planet should be for everyone. Our speakers will discuss strategies for expanding access to organic food, from policy to practice, including linking up local organic producers with public procurement. Chaired by Alex Cullen, Commercial & Marketing Director, Soil Association Certification, with panellists:

• Hannah Gibbs, Programme Manager, Sustain
• Bryce Cunningham, Farmer, Founder & MD, Mossgiel Organic Farm
• David McKay, Co-director, Soil Association Scotland

Afternoon break

Part IV - Opportunities & Impact: Going the Extra Mile

• Opportunities for UK organic in international markets – Panel discussion and Q&A: 

Exploring international trade barriers and opportunities with insight and learnings from business leaders who have built commercial success in European markets and beyond. Chaired by Lee Holdstock, with panellists:

• William Fugard, CEO, Gusto Organic
• Jacob Thundil MBE, Founder, Cocofina
• Dom Simler, Managing Director, PLAYin CHOC
• Susie Hewson, Founder, Natracare

• How organic businesses are working to benefit societies & communities – Panel discussion and Q&A: 

The ability of organic systems to deliver benefits for nature and the environment are well-evidenced, but organic systems often deliver other benefits too. Inspired by organic values, we’ll hear from some inspirational businesses that have directly contributed to the communities within which they work. Chaired by Lee Holdstock, with panellists:

• Suranga Herath, Founder & CEO, English Tea Shop Organic
• Dr Anna Bullen, Chief Executive, Bore Place
• Bart Vollaard, Executive Director, Organic Cotton Accelerator

• Summary from the day – Dominic Robinson, CEO, Soil Association Certification

The conference will end at 5:00pm and will be live streamed via Slido.

To join the online event, simply click here

We look forward to welcoming you online!

Event kindly co-sponsored by: