A) The conference is important because it brings together a wide range of perspectives from investors, developers, lawyers, and operators. It enables the entire sector to confront and debate its most pressing challenges, ensuring we align on a cohesive strategy for a thriving future.

Q) What excites you most about your upcoming session at the Industrial & Logistics Conference?

A) I am excited to bring awareness of the food and beverage industry to the Industrial & Logistics Conference. I think it is an area that is underrepresented despite being the largest manufacturing sector in the UK.

Q) What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your area of focus that attendees should be aware of?

A) I think it is inevitable that the challenges of power and planning are talked about yet again. It seems like we have been discussing these issues for a long time without seeing any major progress. The NESO Gate 2 system was supposed to create an orderly queue for power, but the process is still proving slow-moving. Additionally, food manufacturing facilities can cost up to four times as much as equivalent-sized ambient warehouses, so there are definitely going to be challenges for food manufacturers’ budgets when considering new facilities.