Is the Food System Fit for the Future?

This event, part of the University of Bristol Business School’s Thought Leaders Series, brings together innovators and leaders from various organisations with world-leading researchers for insightful conversations. A key aim is to discuss contemporary challenges and opportunities affecting a mixture of sectors, businesses and policy areas in Bristol and beyond.

This event will explore the many challenges facing the sustainability and resilience of the UK food system and discussions will explore the important question - is the food system fit for the future?

Diets, supply and tastes have changed significantly following the Second World War with choices having become increasingly plentiful and diverse. Yet today, access to food has become more dependent on fewer, larger suppliers, which has the knock on effect of increasing risk and compromises resilience within the food system. (See National Preparedness Commission Report – Just in Case: 7 steps to narrow the UK civil food resilience gap).

A key aim of this event therefore is to highlight and discuss different approaches. For example -the need to move away from centralised systems and embrace smaller hubs with regional and local focus. Critical questions will be explored, such as how prepared for food shocks is the UK? Consequently, climate change effects, supply chain problems and societal issues such as obesity and deep inequalities will also be discussed.

Our invited speaker is Alex Stevens, Chief Sustainable Supply Chains Adviser, National Farmers' Union.

To register please use the 'Reserve a spot' link. Please note that due to limitations on numbers, we are not able to accept registrations from external universities.

Programme

About the Speaker and Chair

Alex Stevens

Alex is Chief Sustainable Supply Chains Adviser at the National Farmers' Union. After gaining a degree in Politics, Alex began working in Rural Regeneration and later Strategic Planning for a District Council before spending a number of years helping farmers to access Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) funds – in that time gaining grant funding for everything from milk processing equipment to an elephant enclosure! Since taking up a role with the NFU in 2011 Alex has worked across the whole agricultural spectrum, principally in the South West region with standout areas of work including flooding support on the Somerset Levels, coordinating EU Referendum and General Election activity, aiding NFU members through various incarnations of the Common Agricultural Policy and leading on lobbying work.

In April 2024 Alex took up the national NFU role of Chief Sustainable Supply Chains Adviser directing a team that manages the NFU relationship with retailer, processor, foodservice and public sector procurement stakeholders, as well as key topic areas such as supply chain fairness, food labelling, supply chain sustainability and much more. Current hot topics include the Farm Assurance Review and the emerging Defra Food Strategy.

Professor Guy Poppy CB FMedSci

Guy is a biologist by background and widely known for his expertise in transforming food systems, both nationally and globally, through themes of human health and sustainability. His roles have included Head of the University of Southampton’s School of Biological Sciences and cross-university directorships focused on interdisciplinary research. He served as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Food Standards Agency from 2014-2020, was appointed Companion of the Order of Bath (CB) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2021 and made a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2022. Professor Poppy held Deputy Executive Chair and Interim Executive Chair positions at Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) between 2022 and 2024, followed by the appointment of Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Bristol on 1st October 2024.

About the Panellists

Heloise Balme

Heloise is Director of the Bristol Food Network. The Network supports, informs and connects individuals, community projects, organisations and businesses who share a vision to transform Bristol into a sustainable food city. Heloise has been involved in sustainable food since 2018, and worked for The Community Farm in Somerset before joining Bristol Food Network. She holds a Masters in Sustainable Development and prior to this, worked in private sector, strategic roles for 16 years. As well as being a Director, she is also Bristol Food Network General Manager, running the organisation day-to-day.

Lucy McCarthy

Lucy McCarthy is a reader at the University of Bristol Business School. Her work focuses on food systems and reconnecting citizens to their food. She is particularly interested in ecologically led and farmer centric approaches and has co-founded the Circular Agriculture Hub.

In partnership with MOON Executive Search