Dairy Innovation Summit 2021: Virtual Conference
Virtual Event
27th-28th April, 2021
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Dairy Innovation Summit 2021: Virtual Conference
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Returning for its 7th year, we are bringing the Dairy Innovation Summit in virtual format straight to your screen!
The dairy industry is a competitive industry. The effects of Covid-19 have seen some companies close while others have focussed on reducing size in personnel and in portfolio. Strategies that were in place for global expansion have been affected significantly and companies are looking at new opportunities to scale and increase market share. On top of this, brands are having to rethink and reposition their company vision and goals to meet the current economic landscape to continue to remain relevant in an ever-more demanding consumer eco-system.
Lockdown and quarantine have seen the vast majority of the world adopt new behaviours while working from home which have directly impacted consumer behaviours and expectation. There is great opportunity in quality nutrition and dairy can leverage this if their innovative and strategic strategies are set correctly in place. Now more than ever, the wellness movement, health and environment are proving to be strong drivers behind the transformation in the industry´s offering to the consumer and dairy brands needs to become creative in order to remain relevant amongst its competitors.
Technological developments in conjunction with an ever digital dependence in our daily lifestyles have meant that companies need to modernise and automate as quickly as possible and be able to understand key data points in order to develop strategies that support a profitable business. It is vital that companies stay connected with and engage with consumers and this must be built into their strategy in order to have a chance at making it through these hard times. Consumers are becoming more demanding and expect ethical products that are clean and essential for better health and lifestyle.
A FANTASTIC NETWORK OF YOUR PEERS AND COLLEAGUES RIGHT AT A TAP OR CLICK OF A BUTTON
Simply register, login on the day and get ready to connect and learn. With the right network at your fingertips, learning and connecting have never been so easy.
💻 Watch live and recorded thought leadership presentations
🗣️ Take part in live Q&A with industry experts from across the globe
👩💻 One-to-one & group video chat with each solution provider
🤝 Chat & network with anyone on the platform in our Community Discussion Lounge
📊 Take part in our interactive polls
👥 Join live panel debates and discussions
🛍️ Download resources from solution providers to your event bag

Gerrit Smit
Managing Director ,Yili Innovation Center Europe
Biography: Gerrit Smit (PhD) is the managing director of Yili Innovation Center Europe, which is based in The Netherlands. This centre is aiming to bridge Yili’s Innovation Centers in China with strategic collaboration parties in Europe; being academia, contract research institutes, key suppliers as well as other dairy and food companies. Before joining Yili he worked as SVP R&D at Valio, Finland (2011-2015), where he was responsible for the R&D portfolio and in particular the long-term strategy, and open innovation with external partners. Previous to that, he worked in Unilever (2004-2011) as Director R&D covering the areas of Flavour and Consumer Research as well as leading the Open Innovation in the area of flavours. He also was a member of the global manage-ment team of the Unilever Food and Health Research Institute. From 1993 until 2004, he worked at NIZO food research in The Netherlands, where he was a board member responsible for the departments Flavour, Nutrition and Ingredients. Moreover, he held for 12 years an en-dowed professorship at Wageningen University (NL) in Molecular Flavour Science. Gerrit got his MSc degree in Molecular Microbiology and Biochemistry, at Utrecht University, and got his PhD degree in 1988 at Leiden University. He also worked as a post-doc for 2 years in R&D in the United States, fol-lowed by a staff position for 2 years at Leiden University.
Session Details: The Missing Link: The Power of Partnerships for Strong Company Growth 27-04-2021, 8:30 am Panel Dairy & Dairy Alternative: Competition or Collaboration? 27-04-2021, 4:50 pm View In Agenda

Aniruddha Kusurkar
Global Commercial Director- Consumer Dairy,Royal Friesland Campina
Biography: Aniruddha (Ani) joined FrieslandCampina in January 2017 as the Head of Corporate Strategy, responsible for Corporate Strategy, Digital agenda and leading Fast Forward (biggest transformation program since the merger). Since January 2018, Ani joined the Management Team of the new Business Group Consumer Dairy and leads the Commercial function for Consumer Dairy business globally. He is responsible for Commercial planning, Innovation development, Customer development & execution capabilities, Business development of new/ digital ventures, Digital, Media and Insights.Prior to this, Ani has 12 years of commercial experience in Unilever during which he has held several Sales and Marketing leadership positions across Asia and Europe. He also has 6 years of Management Consulting experience in Booz & Company (Corporate commercial transformation, PE and M&A) and 2 years in Petrochemicals Plant Operations at Shell.Ani is 46 years old and married with 2 children. He is a Chemical Engineer from UDCT, Mumbai and has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from IIM Bangalore.
Session Details: Innovation is Juicy but Strategy and Social Conversation is even more Saucy 28-04-2021, 9:00 am View In Agenda

Normunds Stanevics
CEO,Food Union
Biography: Top Management and Strategy Development Experience Extensive experience in top level management as well as organizational structures and designs gained as chief executive officer of the largest food processing in Latvia and one of the largest digital and print media holdings in Latvia as well as chief financial officer of the largest diversified transit and transport holding company in the Baltic States. Corporate Finance and M&A Experience Managed national and cross border acquisitions and disposals of companies in Central Europe and Russia. Performed over 40 business valuation projects while acting as member of the leading valuators society American Society of Appraisers. Prepared number of business plans and financial forecasts. Managed and participated in over 25 due diligence projects.
Session Details: Bringing Dairy Back from the Drought that Never Came 27-04-2021, 9:30 am View In Agenda

Ahmed Soliman
Quality in Design Director,Danone Dairy
Biography:
Session Details: Unbeatable Dairy: Done Safely & Tastily 28-04-2021, 11:10 am View In Agenda

Anne Evers Nikolajsen
Director of Innovation,Arla
Biography:
Session Details: Looking Far and Wide to find the Cream of the Crop in Innovation and Trends 28-04-2021, 10:00 am View In Agenda

Laura van Driem
Sourcing Manager,Starbucks
Biography:
Session Details: The 3 Prong Sustainability approach: People, Planet, Price 28-04-2021, 12:40 pm View In Agenda

Ludovic Reysset
Country MD/GM Portugal,Danone Dairy
Biography:
Session Details: Keeping the Consumer Sweet: The Power of Continuous Portfolio Innovation 27-04-2021, 11:10 am Panel - Brands doing it Right: Taking sustainability to new heights 28-04-2021, 3:10 pm View In Agenda

Tomi Siren
Head of Digital & Technological Innovation,Arla
Biography:
Session Details: Unlocking the Potential in FMCG through Digital 28-04-2021, 12:40 pm View In Agenda

Gary Elliott
Head of Category and Shopper,Biotiful Dairy
Biography:
Gary Elliott is Head of Category and Shopper Marketing for Biotiful Dairy sitting on the Senior Management Team. Gary has extensive experience building category strategies and compelling shopper campaigns, working across both retail and manufacturing for market leading companies including Tesco, Danone, Cadbury and GSK.
As category leader, Biotiful is committed to driving natural health. Having joined the business in the Summer of 2020, Gary is excited to focus on accelerating the category well and truly into the mainstream in the UK.
Session Details: Driving the change from niche category to leading the Gut health agenda with major UK retailers 27-04-2021, 3:40 pm View In Agenda

Alice O’Donovan
Legal and Policy Advisor,Eucolait
Biography: From Ireland, landed in Brussels by way of Germany. Interested in dairy, international trade, agricultural matters, food law, customs issues, agricultural markets and agricultural market measures.
Session Details: Proud to be Dairy: How the Industry Survived and Thrived during Covid-19 27-04-2021, 12:10 pm View In Agenda

Luiz Guedes
Milk Quality & Food Safety Director,Danone
Biography: . PhD Food Inspection and Technology . Food Industry | Quality & Food Safety Strategy | Research and Development | Responsible Sourcing | Regenerative Agriculture | Dairy Farming
Session Details: Panel Dairy & Dairy Alternative: Competition or Collaboration? 27-04-2021, 4:50 pm View In Agenda

Johanne Brendehaug
Specialist R&D and Project Manager,Tine
Biography:
Session Details: Senior & Still Active: How dairy can support today’s elderly needs in nutrition 27-04-2021, 1:50 pm View In Agenda

Inger Gislesen
Interim Head of Business relation management and Technology Lab,Tine
Biography:
Session Details: Driving Technology Adoption Through Cultural Change 28-04-2021, 11:40 am View In Agenda

Helene Simonin
Director Food, Environment & Health,European Dairy Association
Biography:
Session Details: Collaborating for a better whey of living and doing dairy 28-04-2021, 10:30 am View In Agenda

Frederic Van Tricht
Managing Director,Kaasmeester Van Tricht
Biography:
Session Details: Case Study: Some Things Better with Age, like Cheese 27-04-2021, 2:50 pm View In Agenda

Sofia Perez Forneas
Director of Innovation,Calidad Pascual
Biography:
Session Details: Eating Better & the Evolution of the Consumer 28-04-2021, 2:20 pm View In Agenda

Nicolas Hartmann
Founder,VlyFoods
Biography:
Session Details: Speed, Idealism & Creativity: The Core of Innovation behind Dairy Alternatives 27-04-2021, 1:50 pm Panel Dairy & Dairy Alternative: Competition or Collaboration? 27-04-2021, 4:50 pm View In Agenda

Jack MacIntyre
Director of Consulting,GlobalData
Biography: Jack is responsible for GlobalData's non-alcoholic beverage consulting. He spends his days scoping and delivering a wide variety of beverages projects on behalf of global players. Jack has ten years' experience in FMCG strategy - in both consulting and data analytics roles - and previously worked for NPD Group and Kantar. His insights on various consumer markets have been featured in The Economist, The Telegraph, and numerous industry publications.
Session Details: Pre – During – Post Pandemic: Spilling the Milk on the New Tide of Dairy 27-04-2021, 10:30 am View In Agenda

Max Kaye
Director of Packaging Consultant,Global Data
Biography:
Session Details: How can dairy pack a punch through innovative packaging? 28-04-2021, 11:40 am View In Agenda

Catalina Abadia
Director of Advertising and Media ,Hain Celestial Group
Biography:
Session Details: Panel Dairy & Dairy Alternative: Competition or Collaboration? 27-04-2021, 4:50 pm Panel - Brands doing it Right: Taking sustainability to new heights 28-04-2021, 3:10 pm Once Upon a Farm: Leveraging the magic of storytelling to generate consumer love 28-04-2021, 4:10 pm View In Agenda

Emre Sozen
Product Innovation & Brand Director,Gönenli Süt
Biography:
Session Details: Growing Wide: Future Formats and Cross Category Dairy Development 27-04-2021, 3:10 pm View In Agenda

Dalinka von Marees
Innovations, Projects and Marketing Manager,Namibia Dairies
Biography:
Dalinka von Marées’ is the Marketing, Innovations & Projects Manager at Namibia Dairies in Windhoek, Namibia.
Her expertise is multi-tiered and cross-functional project leadership, process conception and optimization, and portfolio strategy in the areas of FMCG Marketing & Innovation. During her time at Namibia Dairies, Dalinka created an entire Gate-Stage Process with which projects are effectively and efficiently taken from conception to implementation. She was the project lead on two complete product portfolio restructurings that saw the portfolios analyzed, re-costed, and streamlined to ensure optimized positioning and competitiveness, has lead more than eight product renovation, four production capitalization, and no fewer than ten product innovation projects – never a dull moment in the FMCG industry!
Dalinka’s other professional focus is engaged and mindful leadership that identifies and grows leadership in others – and takes teams and organizations to the next level. True to this, Dalinka has and continues to engage and work as a mentor for colleagues across three departments.
When not leading marketing projects or honing her leadership skill set, Dalinka is looking out for the next growth opportunity – she who stops learning, is stagnating – can be found engrossed in a smashing good mystery, indulging in a glass of hearty red, working up sweat to keep her sane and focused, or spending time with and learning from her kids, whom she considers her greatest achievements.
Session Details: What in the dairy happens outside of Europe? 27-04-2021, 12:40 pm View In Agenda

Odile Conan
Technical Innovation Lead, Europe & Africa,Fonterra
Biography:
Odile has been working in the Food Industry for more than 25 years and has held different roles for major dairy ingredients compagnies in Europe. She has a strong expertise in B2B marketing and products innovation, and has a very good knowledge of the application of proteins ingredients.
Odile joined Fonterra 2 years ago and currently works in the European technical innovation team, providing technical support to Fonterra’s EU & Africa customers on their applications.
Session Details: Immunity: The Perfect Nutritional Formula Post Pandemic 28-04-2021, 1:40 pm Panel - Brands doing it Right: Taking sustainability to new heights 28-04-2021, 3:10 pm View In Agenda

Razan Alsous
Managing Director,Yorkshire Dama Cheese
Biography: The proud Founder and Owner of Yorkshire Dama Cheese, based in the North of England. The business was born out of a love for dairy produce and a frustration at not being able to find high quality tasting cheese - predominantly halloumi cheese in the UK. Using my pharmacist background I decided to launch Yorkshire Dama Cheese and to produce the first halloumi cheese in the North of England. Getting started wasn't easy, particularly as I have ensured that the products are all natural (preservative free and vegetarian friendly) but my passion and determination definitely helped and the business has gone from strength to strength. Since humble beginnings in 2014 Yorkshire Dama Cheese has won two World Cheese awards, with the last one in 2015 being the top level Gold prize! The halloumi has also been shortlisted as Best Cheese in Yorkshire too. Personally I have also been recognised for my achievements as 6th Entrepreneur of the Year in Yorkshire in 2014 and nominated as a key figurehead for International Women's day in 2015 by the British Prime Minister. Within the food industry my cheese making expertise and strong passion for great cooking is also drawing significant attention: I featured on British Celebrity Chef James Martin's Home Comforts TV programme in January 2016 and have been commissioned for a new Channel 4 cooking programme also.
Session Details: Churning heads with cheese and a pinch of creativity: Infusing traditions for Innovative NPD 27-04-2021, 3:40 pm View In Agenda

Laurent Foldès
Global Brand Owners - Pharma, Health & Specialties,Klöckner Pentaplast
Biography:
Laurent's role is to facilitate the circularity of KP’s product. By working in direct relationship with brands, converters and recyclers we develop the sustainable product of every day needs where we listen and understand each requirement so we can translate them into the final product offering.
Session Details: Innovations in Shrink Sleeves 27-04-2021, 1:10 pm View In Agenda

Mr Mudar Mannah
CEO & Founder,Happy Cheeze
Biography:
Session Details: The Non – Dairy Bake Off 27-04-2021, 2:50 pm View In Agenda
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SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES
If you have a service or product you would like to showcase, please use the details below to make contact with our team.
David Johnson
E:david.johnson@arena-international.com
SPEAKER OPPORTUNITIES
The programme will be devised with close collaboration with industry. If you would like to get involved contact our team at:
Amy Avanzato
E: amy.avanzato@arena-international.com