Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, the UK's biggest celebration of industry innovation, has announced its ambassador lineup for 2027, taking place on 5–7 April at Excel London. 

Representing Speciality & Fine Food Fair, IFE, IFE Manufacturing, HRC, The Pub Show and Hospitality Tech360, the ambassadors span retail, wholesale, manufacturing, hospitality operations, technology and industry associations. Together, they bring a broad range of expertise and a shared commitment to supporting the businesses and people shaping these sectors. 

For Speciality & Fine Food Fair, which joins Food, Drink & Hospitality Week in 2027, the lineup brings together influential voices from independent retail, grocery, distribution and the wider speciality food community. Their experience reflects the Fair’s focus on connecting quality producers with buyers looking for distinctive products, inspiring stories and fresh opportunities for their businesses. 

Nicola Woods, Event Manager for Speciality & Fine Food Fair, comments: “Speciality & Fine Food Fair is built around the people, products and stories that make this sector so exciting. Our ambassadors understand the care that goes into creating a distinctive product, and what buyers need to feel confident bringing it into their range. 

“As the Fair joins Food, Drink & Hospitality Week in 2027, we’re delighted to work with such a knowledgeable group to champion speciality food and drink, support independent businesses and help producers and buyers make connections that lead to lasting opportunities.” 

Mark Wiltshire, Co-Founder and Director, Diverse Fine Food, adds: “Working with speciality food producers and independent retailers, I see how much passion and hard work goes into bringing distinctive products to customers.  

"I’m delighted to be an ambassador for Speciality & Fine Food Fair and to support an event that gives those businesses the chance to meet, share ideas and discover new opportunities. As the Fair joins Food, Drink & Hospitality Week in 2027, I’m looking forward to championing the producers and retailers who make our sector so vibrant.” 

The 2027 Food, Drink & Hospitality Week ambassadors are: 

Speciality & Fine Food Fair 

• John Farrand, Managing Director, Guild of Fine Food 
• Genevieve Fitch, Supplier Relationship Manager, Ocado Retail Ltd 
• John Gill, Head of Trading and Supply, Booths 
• Andrew Goodacre, CEO, Bira 
• Matthew Hopkins, Founder & CEO, IND!E Collection 
• Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry 
• Laura Roberts, Founder, Laura’s Larder 
• Vhari Russell, Founder and Managing Director, The Food Marketing Experts 
• Mark Wiltshire, Co-Founder and Director, Diverse Fine Food 
• Jeremy Bowen, Founder, JB Foodie Solutions

IFE and IFE Manufacturing 

• James Bielby, Chief Executive, Food & Drink Wholesale UK (FWD) 
• Karen Green, Speaker, Author and Consultant, Buyerology Ltd 
• Mecca Ibrahim, Co-founder, Women in the Food Industry 
• Andy Richardson MBE, Chairman, Frive; Partner, European Food and Farming Partnerships 
• Dr Paul Sheldrake, Consultant & Director, Focus Food Solutions 
• Richard Werren, Global Director Retail, Consumer & Food, BSI 
• Amy Wilkinson, Founder and Podcaster, Fearless Foodies 

HRC 

• James Bielby, Chief Executive, Food & Drink Wholesale UK (FWD) 
• Katie Deem, Director, 4C Associates 
• Lee Donkin, Managing Director, Cedabond 
• Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry 
• Mark Perkins, Executive Pastry Chef, Rosewood London 
• Mark Reynolds, National Chairman, Craft Guild of Chefs 
• Robert Richardson, Chief Executive, Institute of Hospitality 
• Anna Sebastian, Founder, Anna Sebastian Hospitality 

The Pub Show 

• Steve Alton, CEO, British Institute of Innkeeping 
• Cassie Davison, Author, Stand Out Hospitality 
• Mike Dove, Operator, Three Horseshoes, Witney 
• Tommy Higgs, Operator, Three Horseshoes, Witney 
• Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry 
• Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive, British Beer & Pub Association 
• Tim Skinner, Hospitality Consultant and Publican, Timothy Skinner Limited 

Hospitality Tech360 

• Matt Bell, Managing Director, Mollie’s 
• William Connors, International Service Delivery Manager, Starbucks 
• Chris Fletcher, Founder & CEO, Stacked 
• Tommy Giraux, Head of Restaurant Systems, Honest Burgers Ltd 
• Mecca Ibrahim, Co-Founder, Women in the Food Industry 
• Tom James, Managing Director, Bill’s Restaurants 
• Mitz Patel, Global Head of Information Technology Delivery, Soho House 
• Jane Pendlebury, CEO, HOSPA 
• Kian Yazdi, Chief Executive Officer, Tops Pizza

To find out more about Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2027, taking place on 5–7 April at Excel London as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, visit specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk.