OUR MISSION

SHAPING THE
FUTURE OF FOOD

OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND ENCOURAGE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDS TO CREATE SOLUTIONS FOR TOMORROW’S FOOD CHALLENGES.

The Future of Food Competition is a free, fully inclusive, not-for-profit event. Amidst significant global changes and rapidly evolving megatrends, this challenge shines a spotlight on opportunities and issues in the food industry. By encouraging debate, entrepreneurialism and innovative thinking, we seek to drive progress and positive change. We hope this event becomes a regular highlight in the calendar for everyone passionate about investing time, energy and money in food entrepreneurship.

“If working apart we are a force powerful enough to destabilise our planet, surely working together we are powerful enough to save it” - Sir David Attenborough

OUR JOURNEY:

FROM IDEA to IMPACT

Most entrepreneurs, investors, CEOs and politicians have a short, self-determined 3-5 year strategic horizon. Few look beyond this. Adapting or changing the way we do things for later years can only really happen in 3 ways.

  1. Governmental legislation

  2. Investor pressure

  3. Entrepreneurial endeavour

It is the latter that we’re focusing on here to encourage a longer term ‘thought process’. These ideas when put to practice may influence public opinion, force larger corporates to take note and perhaps politicians may seek to subsequently adapt policy too. The Future of Food final event is designed to be an inspiring and valuable experience for all attendees with this in mind.

In 2023, Barney ran a similar Schools challenge with Makyth Ventures at Winchester College, where students from 20 schools acted as advisors to FUEL10K, imagining the year 2043. The event was hugely successful, insightful and impressive.

Encouraged by entrants, judges and attendees, we decided to bring the challenge to the real world—and here we are!

After our inaugural event in November 2024 where we have 105 entries, 16 brilliant finalists, 4 expert key notes and 6 esteemed judges - we welcomed over 350 stakeholders from across our industry. Take a look at the 2024 Edition. Buoyed by the feedback following that event we couldn’t stop there!

The Future of Food competition is one of a kind and now in it’s second season. It will be at the forefront of food innovation, driving impactful change and inspiring the next generation of food entrepreneurs.

THE ORGANISER

MEET THE FACE BEHIND FUTURE OF FOOD

Barney has been a strong advocate for entrepreneurialism and positive change within the food industry throughout his career. His passion is to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs to tackle and solve opportunities and issues that are fast coming down the track.

Logo Future of Food

Barney began his food and drink experience as employee #007 at smoothie-maker innocent drinks in 2000. He left to set up an exporting business called Fresh Marketing for rising star UK food and drink brands. In 2012, he co-founded innovative FUEL10K breakfast into UK retailers. In 2021, FUEL10K became the first BCorps breakfast brand on UK shelves. In October 2023, after 12 years in the trenches of FMCG he sold FUEL10K to food giant Premier Foods.

Today, Barney is excited about the Future of Food and the brands and projects that aim to tackle the issues and opportunities that lie ahead.

“I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS TO CREATE IMPACT FOR THE FUTURE OF FOOD BY PROVIDING THEM WITH A PLATFORM FROM WHICH TO SHINE.”

OUR HONOURARY AMBASSADORS

  • Adam Leyland

    Editor in Chief at The Grocer magazine.

  • Rebecca Oliver-Mooney

    Head of Commercial Buying for over 2,000 Co-op stores.

  • Yilmaz Erceyes

    Chief Marketing Officer and Director at Premier Foods.

  • Fiona Fitzpatrick

    Hosts the Brand Growth Heroes Podcast & runs Accelerator Programmes.

  • Jason Gibb

    A food entrepreneur and Founder of the FoodHub community and Bread & Jam.

  • Damian Thornton

    Managing Director in the European consumer food & beverage team at Piper Sandler.

  • Pen Hadow

    Pen is an Arctic region explorer, advocate, adventurer and guide.

  • Kevin Dorren

    Chair of Move Fresh who help brands on logistics and operations.

  • Mike Berners-Lee

    Professor & best-selling author of ‘There is No Planet B’ and ‘How Bad are Bananas.

  • Miranda Ballard

    Head of Europe and Global Small to Medium Sized Business at NielsenIQ.

  • Henry Dimbleby

    The architect of the UK’s National Food Strategy. Co-founder of Bramble Partners.

  • Mensun Bound

    Maritime archaeologist who led to the rediscovery of the Endurance.

OUR OFFICIAL NOMINATOR COMMUNITY

Rupert Welchman

Nick Green

Genevieve Fitch

Charlie Beevor

Mitch Lee

Phil Hails-Smith

Tim Chater

Thea Alexander

Radim Malinic

Rupert Welchman Nick Green Genevieve Fitch Charlie Beevor Mitch Lee Phil Hails-Smith Tim Chater Thea Alexander Radim Malinic

Ed Spicer

James Farrow

Fiona Fitzpatrick

Miranda Ballard

Mike Berners-Lee

Anya Claxton

Linley Lewis

Ed Spicer James Farrow Fiona Fitzpatrick Miranda Ballard Mike Berners-Lee Anya Claxton Linley Lewis

Nic Waller

Vicky Grinnel-Wright

Lara Darnett

Ollie Pinder

Perry Hayden-Taylor

Jason Gibb

Tortie Farrand

Nic Waller Vicky Grinnel-Wright Lara Darnett Ollie Pinder Perry Hayden-Taylor Jason Gibb Tortie Farrand

Giles Brook

Chris Mitchell

George Dean

Louis Bedwell

Paul Abley

Duncan Robertson

Alan Barratt

Laura Harnett

Fergus O'Sullivan

Sophie Luck

Seb Munden

Giles Brook Chris Mitchell George Dean Louis Bedwell Paul Abley Duncan Robertson Alan Barratt Laura Harnett Fergus O'Sullivan Sophie Luck Seb Munden

OUR 2025 SUPPORTERS - A BIG THANK YOU

TRUSTED BY INDUSTRY LEADERS & GLOBAL PARTNERS

This event is intended to be entirely free to enter and attend to encourage accessibility for all. Event funds and prize money has been donated through philanthropic means. We are, however, extremely grateful for the continued support of the following outstanding supporting businesses.

If you or your company would like to join our journey in some way, please contact us here