The first wave of speakers for this year’s UK Seafood Summit: Looking Forward, Responding to Change has been announced today with an impressive line-up of seafood and food experts signed up. The theme for the 2019 is The Responsible Seafood Economy.

Organised by Seafish, the public body that supports the £10bn UK seafood industry, the annual event is the largest seafood conference in the UK.  It attracts more than 300 people from the seafood industry, Government, the wider food industry and academia.

Day one of the prestigious event, which will be held in North Lincolnshire again, will be hosted by the Young Seafood Leaders Network, launched at last year’s Summit. The day will explore changing consumer preferences, habits and desire for sustainable products and what industry can do to attract the consumer of the future.

Simon Moriarty, EMEA Director of Trends at Mintel, who will deliver the opening speech with a talk on consumer trends, exploring attitudes and behaviours around plastic packaging and healthy lifestyles.

Ahead of his first visit to the Summit, Simon said: "I am delighted to be speaking at this year's UK Seafood Summit and I think it’s great that the seafood leaders of the future are looking at the consumers of the future.

“With people having more choice than ever before, and re-evaluating their lifestyles, the importance of understanding consumer trends has never been greater. 

This year it’s expected 300 key opinion formers will join respected industry leaders from the UK and Europe to discuss issues from market demands to a focus on day two on supplies and operations. 

Other speakers include Yvonne Adams, Marketing Director at Young’s Seafood, Dr Huginn Freyr Thorsteinsson at Aton Consulting, Angela Coleshill, Competitiveness Director at FDF and Daniel Whittle, Managing Director at Whitby Seafoods, who will all talk on the changing nature of seafood sourcing, innovations in technology and the evolution of the workforce.

Seafish Chief Executive, Marcus Coleman, said: “The year’s Summit focuses on market demands, operations and supplies and highlights the positive work going on to make the UK seafood industry responsible and identifies opportunities to improve.

“We’ve got some exceptional speakers lined up, including Max Mossler from the US who produces globally received reaction pieces to misinformation about the seafood industry. This event provides an invaluable opportunity for the industry to come together to network, share ideas and discuss major issues, ensuring a thriving seafood industry for all.”

The two-day summit opens on Wednesday 16th October with an afternoon exploring markets, followed by the Seafood Fayre networking evening, showcasing seafood from around the UK. Day two will explore the changing nature of seafood sourcing and innovation in technology. 

The event is free and registration is now open for those who wish to attend and early registration is encouraged to secure your space.  Book your place here.

Businesses interested in exhibiting at the Seafood Fayre should register their interest by contacting Nikki Hawkins at Seafish via email nikki.hawkins@seafish.co.uk or phone 07876 035763.

The UK Seafood Summit will be held at Doubletree by Hilton Forest Pines Hotel, Broughton, North Lincolnshire.