Event Timings

10.30am	Guest Arrival and Refreshments
11.00am	'Creating a Sustainable Future in an Unstable Now' presented by Reuben Pullan, Senior Insight Consultant CGA by NIQ
11.45am	Drinks and Canape Reception
12.45pm	Lunch
2.45pm	Panel Discussion: 'The Road to Net Zero' plus audience Q&A
3.45pm	Closing Speeches
4.00pm	Networking Continues / Guests Depart

The Event

Sustainability is increasingly crucial in the hospitality and foodservice sector.  It cannot be ignored and is a growing expectation and a reality for every business, driven by growing environmental awareness and consumer demand for eco-friendly practices.  Customers, employees, communities and society expect businesses to take action – and they will buy from the companies that do. Sustainability is now a top priority for companies, and one that must be tackled if they are to remain employers and service providers of choice.

The event will feature a panel discussion with senior leaders and sector experts.  Our panellists to date are Thomas Heier, CEO, Wagamama and Pete Statham, Head of Sustainability - Europe, Sysco.  Hosted by Mark Chapman, CEO and Founder, Zero Carbon Forum, some of the topics for discussion include:-

• How our business leaders are leading the way in sustainable ways of operating
• challenges and opportunities being faced within the supply chain including food security, climate impacts on food supply and the cost of ingredients and innovations to improve food resilience.
• The importance of keeping sustainability on the agenda despite cost pressures
• How can companies achieve transparent and credible progress and how are sustainability initiatives being measured
• How can technology help with running a more sustainable business
• the importance of collaboration between suppliers and operators to improve sustainability agendas and build on the progress already made
• the importance of engaging teams and customers

plus much more.

The event also includes a drinks reception and three-course seated lunch with plenty of opportunities for networking.

Creating A Sustainable Future in an Unstable Now

Prior to lunch, Reuben Pullan, Senior Insight Consultant, CGA by NIQ  will lead a state-of-the-nation session, setting out the trends that are influencing the hospitality landscape. This will lead into a sustainability deep-dive, exploring what aspects of sustainability consumers find most compelling in the hospitality space, what can drive them to action, and what they really think of the efforts the industry is making. Reflecting this is survey data from senior leaders of Great Britain’s leading operator groups, benchmarking their environmental investment at a time when their day-to-day margins are more pressure than ever.

 

Meet Our Panel Host

Mark Chapman, Founder and CEO, Zero Carbon Forum

Mark Chapman is the founder and CEO of  Zero Carbon Forum, a non-profit organisation which builds on 10 years of carbon reduction collaboration in the UK’s hospitality sector. Zero Carbon Forum enables members to reach their sustainability targets faster, more efficiently and more cost effectively than acting alone.

Zero Carbon Forum’s 60+ members include leading UK/global Brewing and Hospitality organisations representing over 30% of the sectors’ outlets to make a commitment to net zero emissions by 2030 on their own operations and 2040 across their supply chain. 

Prior to founding the forum in 2020, Mark founded Zero Carbon Services, the leading provider of carbon measurement and reduction services in the hospitality sector. It’s proprietary carbon analytics platform helps companies measure, report and reduce carbon emissions to cut carbon and costs.

Meet Our Panellists

Thomas Heier, CEO, Wagamama

 

Thomas Heier is CEO of Wagamama, one of the UK’s most iconic restaurant brands.

He has led the business through a period of change and innovation, with a focus on digital transformation, sustainability, and long-term brand relevance. Passionate about people, culture, and purposeful leadership.

Guided by the Kaizen philosophy of continual improvement, the brand operates over 225 restaurants globally with a turnover of c£500m and industry-leading customer and people metrics.

 

 

Pete Statham, Head of Sustainability, Europe at Sysco

Pete is the Head of Sustainability for Europe at Sysco, the world's largest foodservice distributor. He is responsible for developing and implementing the sustainability plan across its European businesses, using the scale and unique position of Sysco in the food supply chain to transform the food system, while contributing to business growth.

He previously led the integration of Carlsberg's sustainability plan in the UK and developed the brewer's sustainability communications and ESG reporting globally, after starting out his career in consultancy building sustainability strategies with some of the world’s biggest brands.

Pete holds an MSc in Sustainable Development from the University of Exeter. He also serves as a Trustee of Meals & More, the charity dedicated to tackling holiday hunger.