As the CEO of Factbird, a world leader in Manufacturing Intelligence, Søren Schønnemann drives innovation within the manufacturing sector, focusing on optimizing operational efficiency through data-driven solutions. Working in tech since 2010, today, he is committed to advancing Factbird’s Manufacturing Intelligence Suite, which enhances productivity and operational performance for clients in the food and beverage sector.
At the Dairy-Tech Conference, Søren will share his perspectives on how to leverage Manufacturing Intelligence for operational efficiency, improving sustainability, and what the future of dairy manufacturing looks like.
Dr. Kevin Deegan is Vice President, Innovation in Valio, Finland’s largest food company and food exporter. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from University College Cork, Ireland and a PhD in Sensory Science from the University of Helsinki, Finland. He has led the development of consumer insight and research in both Valio and on the executive board of the Finnish food company Saarioinen. His passion lies in unlocking and interpreting consumer behaviour as a driver for consumer-centric business development and innovation in international markets.
Kevin is a board member of the Irish Business Club of Finland, an advisory board member of the Innovation Practitioners Community of Finland and a member of the Enterprise Ireland Nordics Advisory Panel.
Will Blackett brings over 25 years of Drinks, Retail and Foodservice experience to GlobalData. Prior to joining GlobalData, Will worked clientside at Sainsbury’s, McDonald’s and Heineken, working in various innovation, brand and commercial roles. Will also has extensive consultancy experience, leading a global vertical at Dunnhumby and heading the Consumer division of Savanta, a full-service insight agency, where he partnered with some of the world’s largest drinks companies.
Helge Einar Lundberg, born in 1966 in Norway, is an MD Specialist in General Practice and Sports Medicine. He attended the Medical Faculty at Oslo University from 1985 to 1991 and has since accumulated 30 years of experience in general practice. He has also worked with cross-country skiers as a doctor for ski teams. Since 2018, he has been engaged by Professor Stig Larsen (Professor of Clinical Research Methodology and Statistics) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences/Meddoc AS to conduct clinical studies on the effects of Jarlsberg Cheese on bone health. Dr. Larsen serves as his advisor on this project. He is currently completing his PhD program at the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, with Professor Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen and Professor Larsen as his advisors. Since September 2022, he has also been serving as the Medical Director at Meddoc Research AS
Paul and his wife, Rachael, farm a herd of 400 pedigree Holsteins, supplying Paynes Dairies in the Vale of York.
Not from a farming background, Paul worked in the financial sector before meeting his wife and joining the family dairy business.
Paul joined the National Dairy Board in 2017 as an appointee before being elected as the North East representative. He served nearly four years as vice chair before being elected as Chair in 2024.
Paul is enthusiastic about educating people of all ages about dairy farming and is keen to continue developing relationships with milk processors and other farmer representatives to ensure a joined-up industry approach to future farm policy.
He believes a fair and transparent supply chain is critical if dairy farmers are to meet the demands of a quickly changing society. He also works hard to ensure the sector is represented throughout the supply chain and at government level so dairy farmers can make the most of future opportunities and have a bright and prosperous future.
