We look forward to welcoming you to Arena's Savoy Lecture this evening. Make sure you click on the 'Download Guest List' on the event page to see the latest guest list.

Karl Atkins, CEO of Foodbuy Group and Alex Demetriou, CEO of Foodbuy UK & Ireland will headline this year's Arena Savoy Lecture taking place on the evening of Monday 28 April 2025 at The Savoy. Karl and Alex will share their knowledge on the Foodbuy business both in the UK and US, their plans for the future, supplier and wholesaler collaboration and their wider views on the foodservice sector.

Karl Atkins, Chief Executive Officer, Foodbuy Group

As Chief Executive Officer of Foodbuy Group, Karl leads the business to ensure Foodbuy are always delivering great procurement services to their diverse client base and helping them unlock the power of their supply chains, to deliver true value by focussing on quality, innovation and sustainability with a focus on the Net Zero agenda. 

Previously, Karl was in the Chief Operating Officer role at Foodbuy – where his focus has been supporting the growth of Foodbuy’s external client business. He previously held commercial leadership roles with Coca-Cola European Partners and Britvic, after six years at Compass, covering sourcing and category management leadership roles. Prior to that, Karl spent several years in grocery retail in a number of different commercial and supply chain roles.

Karl achieved his Executive MBA in 2019 and completed his research in the application of technology to support traceability in the food supply chain.

Outside of work, Karl’s young family keeps him busy and he is a huge Exeter Chiefs rugby fan and gets to as many games as he can.

Alex Demetriou, Chief Executive Officer of Foodbuy UK & Ireland.

As CEO of Foodbuy UK & Ireland, Alex is responsible for all purchasing businesses operating within the division of Foodbuy Group.

Sitting within this division is Regency Purchasing Group, of which Alex is the founder. Initially, Alex created Regency Purchasing Group as a buying group to consolidate purchasing and to secure more competitive pricing for his family’s own 15 sites. Today, the business has developed into a cross-category support service for the hospitality and leisure industry, with over 7,500 members.

Alex’s career began at a young age when he worked in kitchens within his family’s catering businesses. He then went on to own and operate several hospitality and event businesses. Through this, Alex successfully delivered the first-ever mobile vending contract at the 2012 London Olympic Games and supported the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympic Games in a consultancy capacity.

Additionally, Alex maintains an active role as Director at The Old Thatched Cottage restaurant in Weston Super-Mare, the first restaurant his grandfather purchased over 60 years ago.

Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with his family on his small farm where he keeps pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens.

Prior to Karl and Alex' address we are also delighted to welcome back Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO, UKHospitality who will provide a valuable and insightful update on the critical issues affecting the industry.

Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO, UKHospitality

Kate Nicholls OBE has been CEO of UKHospitality, the powerful voice representing the broad hospitality sector, since its inception in 2018, having previously worked as CEO and Strategic Affairs Director of the ALMR.

Kate is Chair of the Tourism Alliance and co-Chair of the London Tourism Recovery Board, representing the needs of the wider tourism sector in discussions with Government and the Mayor of London. She sits on the Government’s Tourism, Hospitality and Food & Drink Sector Councils and has previously Chaired the London Night-time Commission. She is a Board member of Best Bar None, PASS and is a trustee at Hospitality Action. In July 2021, she was appointed as the first Government Disability Ambassador for hospitality, promoting inclusivity. Kate was appointed co-Chair of the London & Partners’ Tourism Advisory Group in November 2022, who have a critical role in turning London’s 2030 Tourism Vision into reality.

Kate initially worked as a researcher in the House of Commons and European Parliament on food, employment and environmental policy before joining Whitbread to work in Strategic Affairs. She has extensive experience as a political and strategic communications consultant and is a graduate of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and Kings College London.

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