Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, the UK’s biggest celebration of industry innovation, has announced its ambassador lineup for 2027’s edition, which takes place on 5-7 April at Excel London.
Representing HRC, The Pub Show, Hospitality Tech360, IFE, IFE Manufacturing and Speciality & Fine Food Fair, the ambassadors span hospitality operations, retail, wholesale, manufacturing, technology and industry associations. Together, they bring a broad range of expertise and a shared commitment to supporting the businesses and people shaping these sectors.
The ambassadors will help champion the opportunities the events offer to discover innovation, exchange knowledge and build valuable business relationships. For hospitality and pub professionals, the announcement brings together influential voices with first-hand experience of the sector’s challenges and opportunities.
HRC and The Pub Show’s ambassadors include representatives from the Craft Guild of Chefs, Institute of Hospitality, British Institute of Innkeeping and British Beer & Pub Association, alongside publicans, chefs, suppliers and hospitality specialists.
Jo Farish, Event Manager for HRC, comments: “Our ambassadors bring a wealth of experience from across hospitality and a shared commitment to helping the industry thrive. They understand what matters to operators, from finding the right suppliers and developing their teams to creating experiences that keep customers coming back. We’re delighted to bring these voices together for 2027 and look forward to working with them to make HRC and The Pub Show valuable places to find inspiration, share knowledge and make lasting business connections.”
Anna Sebastian Managing Director of Anna Sebastian Hospitality Ltd and HRC Ambassador, adds: “I’m really excited to be part of the HRC show this year. HRC is the perfect place to be present due to its wide audience, business and networking opportunities with like-minded people and potential clients.”
Cassie Davidson, Founder, Kith & Kin Hospitality and The Pub Show ambassador, says: “Hospitality thrives on relationships, shared ideas and collaboration, and there’s real value in bringing different perspectives together. I’m delighted to be an ambassador for 2027 and to be part of the conversations and connections that make things better for the people in our industry.”
James Bielby, Chief Executive, Food & Drink Wholesale UK (FWD), comments: “I’m delighted to return as an ambassador for Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. The event provides an invaluable opportunity to bring together suppliers, wholesalers and their customers to discover new products and discuss the challenges and opportunities we share. I’m looking forward to championing the role of wholesale in connecting our industry and supporting its growth across retail and hospitality.”
The 2027 Food, Drink & Hospitality Week Ambassadors are:
HRC
- James Bielby, Chief Executive, Food & Drink Wholesale UK (FWD)
- Katie Deem, Director, 4C Associates
- Lee Donkin, Managing Director, Cedabond
- Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry
- Mark Perkins, Executive Pastry Chef, Rosewood London
- Mark Reynolds, National Chairman, Craft Guild of Chefs
- Robert Richardson, Chief Executive, Institute of Hospitality
- Anna Sebastian, Founder, Anna Sebastian Hospitality
The Pub Show
- Steve Alton, CEO, British Institute of Innkeeping
- Cassie Davison, Founder, Kith & Kin Hospitality
- Mike Dove, Operator, Three Horseshoes, Witney
- Tommy Higgs, Operator, Three Horseshoes, Witney
- Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry
- Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive, British Beer & Pub Association
- Tim Skinner, Hospitality Consultant and Publican, Timothy Skinner Limited
Hospitality Tech360
- Matt Bell, Managing Director, Mollie’s
- William Connors, International Service Delivery Manager, Starbucks
- Chris Fletcher, Founder & CEO, Stacked
- Tommy Giraux, Head of Restaurant Systems, Honest Burgers Ltd
- Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry
- Tom James, Managing Director, Bill’s Restaurants
- Mitz Patel, Global Head of Information Technology Delivery, Soho House
- Jane Pendlebury, CEO, HOSPA
IFE and IFE Manufacturing
- James Bielby, Chief Executive, Food & Drink Wholesale UK (FWD)
- Karen Green, Speaker, Author and Consultant, Buyerology Ltd
- Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry
- Andy Richardson MBE, Chairman, Frive; Partner, European Food and Farming Partnerships
- Dr Paul Sheldrake, Consultant & Director, Focus Food Solutions
- Richard Werren, Global Director Retail, Consumer & Food, BSI
- Amy Wilkinson, Founder and Podcaster, Fearless Foodies
Speciality & Fine Food Fair
- John Farrand, Managing Director, Guild of Fine Food
- Genevieve Fitch, Supplier Relationship Manager, Ocado Retail Ltd
- John Gill, Head of Trading and Supply, Booths
- Andrew Goodacre, CEO, Bira
- Matthew Hopkins, Founder & CEO, IND!E Collection
- Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry
- Laura Roberts, Founder, Laura’s Larder
- Vhari Russell, Founder and Managing Director, The Food Marketing Experts
- Mark Wiltshire, Co-Founder and Director, Diverse Fine Food
To find out more about everything happening as part of HRC and The Pub Show 2027, taking place on 5-7 April at Excel London as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, visit hrc.co.uk or thepubshow.co.uk.
