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
Thursday
Wednesday
Tuesday
10:00 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
10:15 am
UK MARKET OVERVIEW
Economic, retail and consumer developments and opportunities
Richard Lee, Business Unit Director - Drinks, at Worldpanel by Numerator
10:30 am
UK MARKET OVERVIEW
Panel discussion joined by
Lauren Tredgett, Category Buying Manager – Soft Drinks & Chilled Juice for Tesco
10:50 am
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES
Panel discussion on market growth, innovation, regulation, social responsibility, health, sustainability, disruption, GLP-1, AI and future success with
Andy Bagnall, Director General of British Soft Drinks Association
Nicki Garland, Head of UK and Ireland for innocent drinks
Michel Beneventi, Global Head of Cluster Europe and AOA for Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages
Alastair Gore, Commercial Director – GB&I Beverages for PepsiCo
11:40 am
Refreshment and networking break
12:15 am
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Preparing for a circular economy
Simon James, Director of Circular Economy Directorate at Department for Environment,
Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
12:30 pm
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Implementing a successful deposit return scheme
Russell Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Exchange for Change
12:45 pm
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Balancing all interests in extended producer responsibility
Jeremy Blake, Chief Executive Officer of Pack UK
1:00 pm
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Boosting reusability
James Bull, Head of Packaging and Food Waste Strategies for Tesco
1:15 pm
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Investing in closed loop recycling
Gavin Anderson, Head of Policy and Stakeholder Engagement for Veolia UK
1:30 pm
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Panel discussion joined by
Samantha Walker, Director, Strategic Projects at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB
1:50 pm
SPONSOR
Sponsor presentation: Optimising filling and chilling at point of sale
Mark Newby, Founder and Director of Package Drink Solutions
2:00 pm
Lunch and networking
3:00 pm
KEY ENTREPRENEUR UPDATES
Calm: Next generation need state
Olivia Ferdi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at TRIP
3:10 pm
KEY CATEGORY UPDATES
Energy: the rise of good energy
Huib van Bockel, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tenzing
3:20 pm
KEY CATEGORY UPDATES
Adult: unlocking the next premium drinks occasion
Tim Warrillow, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fever-Tree
3:30 pm
KEY CATEGORY UPDATES
Water … as a soft drink
Alex Wright, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of DASH Water
3:40 pm
KEY CATEGORY UPDATES
Questions and discussion
3:55 pm
KEY CATEGORY UPDATES
Capri-Sun: a brand for all ages
Matt Done, Managing Director of Capri-Sun
4:05 pm
KEY ENTREPRENEUR UPDATES
Functional drinks: backing the next generation of brands
Sophie Luck, Principal at JamJar Investments
4:15 pm
KEY ENTREPRENEUR UPDATES
Iced drinks: perfect matcha
Shani Higgs, Head of Sales for PerfectTed
4:25 pm
KEY ENTREPRENEUR UPDATES
Questions and discussion
4:40 pm
Refreshment and networking break
5:20 pm
NEW ENTRANTS AND CONCEPTS
Nolo: the decaf rebellion
Binky Felstead, Co-founder of Nolo
5:25 pm
NEW ENTRANTS AND CONCEPTS
Fix8 Water Kefir: lighter approach to gut health
Freya Twigden, Founder of Fix8
5:30 pm
NEW ENTRANTS AND CONCEPTS
Phizz: tablets for faster hydration
Daniel Cray, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Phizz
5:35 pm
NEW ENTRANTS AND CONCEPTS
Hive Mind: honeyade
Kit Newell, Co-Founder of Hive Mind
5:40 pm
NEW ENTRANTS AND CONCEPTS
Questions and discussion
6:00 pm
UK SOFT DRINKS AWARDS 2026
Presentation of UK Soft Drinks Awards 2026
6:15 pm
Close