Leo Campbell is Co-founder of Modern Baker, a pioneering food-tech start-up reshaping ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Their breakthrough product, Superloaf – dubbed ‘the world’s first healthy UPF’ by the media – is nutrient-dense, clean-label, and scalable, developed through five years of lab research backed by six Innovate UK grants. Recently, Modern Baker partnered with Hovis to bring Superloaf to major UK retailers.
Often perceived as anti ‘big food’ Modern Baker’s business model is in fact to collaborate with leading food manufacturers and brands. Before Modern Baker, Leo had a successful career in the creative industries.
Ben is Co-founder and chef of Sorted Food. Built on 28+ years of friendship, it’s now a global foodie community that’s attracted over 1.3 billion video views on YouTube alone. Actively and authentically contributing to a conversation around the future of our food.
On screen, providing a cross between entertainment, inspiration and ‘accidental’ education… together Sorted Food explores and discusses some of the best food, drink, travel and associated trends out there. All with, and on behalf of, their highly engaged community.
Off screen, Ben is a regular public speaker, has consulted for leading food brands and 10 Downing Street… tackling the likes of food trends, shifting food behaviours, sourcing intelligent and real consumer insights and sharing the opinions of an online generation around sustainability.
Sarah is a practising functional nutritionist at The Lanserhof Clinic and Head of Nutrition at Zooki. She holds undergraduate and postgraduate science degrees from the University of Cambridge, Diplomas from IoN and CISN and a Metcalf Fellowship from McGill University.
Her most recent published papers explored the links between rosacea, the microbiome and gut health.
Experienced in manufacturing, R&D & Insights & Analytics in 2 different continents in F&B. Currently working globally for chocolate category & brand insights in Mondelez.
Bryan Towell is the Procurement Director at AB World Foods, a leader in World Cuisine. Bryan heads Procurement & ESG agendas at AB World Foods, sourcing complex ingredients from 6 of 7 continents while at the same time ensuring compliance with an increasing legislative environment and leading Beyond Compliance projects to improve farmer livelihoods and increase supply chain climate resilience. Bryan has an extensive background leading end-to-end Supply Chain and Operations across FMCG, Food & Beverage and Automotive sectors.
Jon Walsh co-founded Bio&Me in 2019 alongside world-leading gut health specialist Dr Megan Rossi, also known as The Gut Health Doctor. With over 30 years’ experience in commercial and marketing roles, Jon has worked on some of the UK’s most iconic FMCG brands, including global names at Procter & Gamble and Nestlé.
Bio&Me is the UK’s first evidence-based gut health food brand, bringing clarity and credibility to the world of gut health. The Chester-based business is the fastest-growing gut health brand in the country, with retail sales of over £20 million. Its award-winning range of gut-loving granolas, porridges, mueslis, kefir live yoghurts and drinks, and oat bars are now listed in major retailers including Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. The business has earned multiple accolades, from Great Taste Awards to the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, as well as being a multi-time finalist at The Grocer Gold Awards.
For those early birds, you can also hear Jon on BBC Radio 5 Live’s “Wake up to Money” as one of the show’s talking heads every now and then, where he shares business insights and perspectives from the front line of food and drink.
Rebecca Oliver-Mooney (ROM) is Director of Commercial for News & Treat at the Co-op, covering areas like impulse, drinks and kiosk across a multi-channel retailer. She constantly challenges the status quo, doing things differently with small suppliers whilst driving a laser focused approach on customer centricity. This is highlighted by conceptualising and launching the apiary in 2022, an incubator scheme that puts equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of it to drive range diversity and inclusiveness on retail shelves as well as creating kitchen discos across the UK!
ROM has over 20 years’ experience in a variety of commercial, category, innovation, marketing, strategy and consultation roles across manufacturing and retail including Mars, Nestle, Kellogg’s, Muller, Rewrite the Story and Biotiful Dairy before joining the Co-op in 2020. ROM is extremely passionate about putting the customer at the heart of everything she does, focusing on data and insight to create visionary customer-centric strategies. Empowering creativity, change and doing things differently ROM prides herself on driving accessible, mindful inspiration for the customer base.
ROM envisions a future where diversity, equity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but fundamental pillars of the industry. She strives to create a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Her commitment to diversity goes beyond numbers. It is about fostering a culture where different perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated. By embracing diversity, equity and inclusion ROM aims to drive innovation, creativity and success for companies and the communities they serve. This is highlighted by ROM founding Raising the Glass in 2024 after a year working in the drinks industry and recognising the need for change. Raising the Glass’ vision is to create meaningful connections that drive inclusivity for women and allies in the drinks industry, striving to foster a community where diversity is celebrated, voices are heard, and opportunities are abundant. Through a commitment to empowerment and collaboration, she aims to build a future where everyone feels valued, respected and supported in their journey within the drinks industry.
ROM wants to collaborate so together we can build a brighter future where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and succeed.
