UK Soft Drinks Conference 2026
Event Programme
For over 20 years, FoodBev's annual UK Soft Drinks Conference has brought together senior industry producers, suppliers, retailers, innovators, opinion formers and advisers to provide the fullest possible one day overview of the latest developments, issues and opportunities alongside extensive networking. Held in association with British Soft Drinks Association.
Discover this years speakers
.png)
Tuesday
9:00 am
UK MARKET OVERVIEW
2025 review, 2026 outlook and key issues
William Watkins, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Radnor Hills, President of British Soft Drinks Association
9:15 am
UK MARKET OVERVIEW
Economic, retail and consumer developments and opportunities
Richard Lee, Business Unit Director - Drinks, at Worldpanel by Numerator
9:30 am
UK MARKET OVERVIEW
Panel discussion joined by
Lauren Tredgett, Category Buying Manager – Soft Drinks for Tesco
9:50 am
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES
Panel discussion on market growth, innovation, regulation, social responsibility, health, sustainability, disruption, GLP-1, AI and future success
Speakers to be announced
10:45 am
Refreshment and networking break
11:15 am
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Preparing for a circular economy
Emma Bourne OBE, Director – Circular Economy at Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
11:30 am
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Implementing a successful deposit return scheme
Russell Davies, Chief Executive Officer of UK Deposit Management
11:45 am
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Balancing all interests in extended producer responsibility
Jeremy Blake, Chief Executive Officer of Pack UK
0:00 pm
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Boosting reusability
James Bull, Head of Packaging and Food Waste Strategies for Tesco
0:15 pm
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Investing in closed loop recycling
Speaker to be announced
0:30 pm
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Panel discussion joined by
Speaker to be announced from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
0:50 pm
Lunch and networking
2:00 pm
KEY CATEGORY UPDATES
Energy: adding new dimensions
Speaker to be announced
2:10 pm
KEY CATEGORY UPDATES
Sports: fortifying fitness
Speaker to be announced
2:20 pm
KEY CATEGORY UPDATES
Adult: non-alcohol promise
Tim Warrillow, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fever-Tree
2:30 pm
KEY CATEGORY UPDATES
Children’s: healthier growth
Speaker to be announced
2:40 pm
KEY CATEGORY UPDATES
Panel discussion
Speakers to be announced
3:00 pm
Refreshment and networking break
3:30 pm
KEY ENTREPRENEUR UPDATES
Functional drinks: investing in Humantra and Xoxo
Sophie Luck, F&B Investor Lead at JamJar Investments
3:40 pm
KEY ENTREPRENEUR UPDATES
Beyond CBD: calm amidst the storm
Olivia Ferdi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at TRIP
3:50 pm
KEY ENTREPRENEUR UPDATES
Iced drinks: perfect matcha
Marisa Poster, Co-founder of PerfectTed
4:00 pm
KEY ENTREPRENEUR UPDATES
Water … as a soft drink
Alex Wright, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of DASH Water
4:10 pm
KEY ENTREPRENEUR UPDATES
Questions and discussion
4:35 pm
NEW ENTRANTS AND CONCEPTS
Fix8 Water Kefir: lighter approach to gut health
Freya Twigden, Founder of Fix8
4:40 pm
NEW ENTRANTS AND CONCEPTS
Phizz: tablets for faster hydration
Daniel Cray, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Phizz
4:50 pm
NEW ENTRANTS AND CONCEPTS
Questions and discussion
5:00 pm
UK SOFT DRINKS AWARDS 2026
Presentation of UK Soft Drinks Awards 2026
5:20 pm
UK SOFT DRINKS AWARDS 2026
Networking drinks reception
6:00 pm
Close