Agenda

From approx. 9.00am – Arrivals & registration

Between 9.45am and 10.00am – Conference starts

Featuring the below business leaders who will be discussing:

1. Winning strategies in a competitive marketplace

Emma Woods, CEO, Wagamama

Drawing on the approach and experience of leading the team at Wagamama, Emma will address the importance of innovation to ensure the ongoing relevance and success of brands in the UK restaurant sector.

Alasdair Murdoch, chief executive, Burger King UK

Alasdair will speak on leadership – the key attributes which are more critical, now than ever, for our sector.

Jens Hofma, CEO, Pizza Hut Restaurants

Jens will discuss the journey Pizza Hut Restaurants has been on since the MBO last April, and how the business has survived, and will thrive, through the various cycles in the restaurant market.

Martin Williams, CEO, Rare Restaurants

Martin will speak about the evolution of M Restaurants and Gaucho, and how the two businesses are being taken forward under the new umbrella of Rare Restaurants.

2. Key trends and opportunities

Graeme Smith, managing director, AlixPartners

AlixPartners will give an overview of the restaurant market from an M&A perspective and what the current and future focus is for investors.

Karl Chessell, business unit director – food and retail, CGA

Karl will look at patterns of UK restaurant openings and closures over the past year. Overlaying performance data and consumer changes, he’ll look at cuisine types, formats and geographies, giving CGA’s view of those parts of the market most exposed, and those offering most potential.

Jill Livesey, managing director, HIM and MCA Insights

Jill will share headlines and takeaways from MCA’s brand new Restaurant Market Report, the definitive annual report on the UK restaurant sector, focusing on the trends, challenges and opportunities impacting it in 2019 and beyond.

3. The big issues

Hot Topics (Panel)

Industry leaders will debate the big issues impacting the restaurant sector, from rents and rates and the growth of delivery to how data is impacting menu innovation. The panel will feature:

 James Spragg, chief executive, Casual Dining Group
 Matt Snell, managing director, Gusto
 Richard Morris, managing director, Tortilla
 Nisha Katona, founder, Mowgli Street Food

 

Lydia Christie, legal director (employment law), Howard Kennedy LLP

Lydia will address how the #Metoo or #Ustoo movements have affected the hospitality industry and how to protect your workforce and your business.

4. Evolution after a CVA

Mark Jones, CEO, Carluccio’s

Mark will describe the Carluccio’s journey since the CVA last year and share how learnings from its Richmond restaurant and Fresca programme are helping to shape the future of the business.

5. Disruption: Deliveroo’s plans to deliver ingredients and more

Ajay Lakhwani, VP of new business, Deliveroo

Ajay will unveil the plan for Deliveroo’s move into supplying restaurants with ingredients and other essentials, dubbed ‘food procurement’, and explain how Deliveroo plans to roll out the concept across the UK.

6. Future leaders: the next generation of operators

Concepts to watch (Panel)

Hear from the founders of up-and-coming concepts MCA believe will shape the market in years to come. They will discuss their journey so far, what makes them different and their future growth plans.

 Rachel Hugh, co-founder, The Vurger Co., a 100% vegan fast food restaurant
 Brittney Bean, co-founder, Mother Clucker, a fried chicken street food concept
 Andy Lennox, founder, Zim Braai, a southern African inspired concept

From approx. 4.45pm – Close & networking drinks