Event Timings

2.00 pm	Arrival, Refreshments and Networking
3.00 pm	Panel Discussion with COO’s GianMarco Carlà from Big Mamma Group, Michael Andersen from Sysco GB and Joycelyn Neve, Founder and MD, Seafood Pub Company, plus audience Q&A
4.00 pm	Light Bites and Refreshments
4.15 pm	Informal Networking with Panellists and Peers
5.00 pm	Close

The Event

Hosted at KERB Social Club, the event will feature a panel of industry leaders including Michael Anderson, CCO of Sysco GB, Joycelyn Neve, Founder and MD, Seafood Pub Company and GianMarco Carlà, Chief Operating Officer, Big Mamma Group UK & Ireland - the company behind some of the UK's most talked-about restaurant brands, including Gloria, Circolo Popolare, Ave Mario, Jacuzzi and Carlotta.  Our speakers will share an overview of their businesses and career journeys, perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector, and the role that networking and relationship-building have played in their professional development.

Alongside the panel discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with peers and industry leaders in a relaxed setting, making it an ideal event for those looking to build confidence, expand their network and gain fresh perspectives from across the industry.

Whether attending yourself or investing in the development of a colleague, this event is particularly suited to professionals who want to gain valuable knowledge about the foodservice and hospitality industry, strengthen their industry connections and are keen to develop their careers within the sector. 

Topics we'll explore

As well as our speakers providing an overview of their businesses, some of the themes being explored include:-

• The opportunities and challenges currently shaping the hospitality and foodservice sector
•  Building meaningful professional relationships and the impact they can have on personal and career development
•  Leadership, people development and creating strong team cultures through collaboration and connection
•  Navigating career progression, career changes and new opportunities within hospitality and foodservice
•  Scaling businesses while maintaining client and customer experience, culture and commercial performance
•  Building confidence, visibility and influence within organisations and across the wider industry
• How networking can support learning, knowledge sharing and long-term career success

What to expect

Industry insight
Hear from senior industry leaders as they share their career journeys, perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing hospitality and foodservice, and the role that relationships and networking have played in their success.

Panel discussion and audience Q&A
An engaging and interactive conversation with our speakers, with the opportunity to ask questions and gain practical insights from their experiences.

Networking opportunities
Time to connect with peers, industry professionals and Arena Networking Navigator mentors in a welcoming and informal setting.

Food & refreshments
Inclusive drinks and light bites throughout the afternoon.

Community and connection
A supportive environment designed to help attendees build confidence, develop meaningful industry relationships and expand their professional networks

We look forward to welcoming you or your team members for an afternoon of industry insight, discussion and connection at Arena Futures.

Meet Our Speakers

Michael Andersen, Chief Commercial Officer, Sysco GB

Michael joined Brakes in January 2021 as Corporate Solutions Director, responsible for leading the top customer portfolio which later combined with National Accounts to form the Corporate Accounts division, covering the top 100 customers across all sectors.
 
Prior to joining Brakes, Michael spent the early part of his career with A.P. Moller – Maersk, DHL and CEVA Logistics, holding a number of leadership roles across several countries.
 
In September 2023, Michael was promoted to Chief Commercial Officer of Sysco GB, where he is responsible for leading the commercial strategy across all Sysco GB brands and businesses.

GianMarco Carlà, Chief Operating Officer, Big Mamma Group UK & Ireland

Big Mamma is behind some of the UK's most talked-about restaurant brands, including Gloria, Circolo Popolare, Ave Mario, Jacuzzi and Carlotta.

Founded on a simple idea of bringing the warmth, energy and authenticity of traditional Italian trattorias to a wider audience, the group has grown from a single restaurant into an international business operating across multiple countries.

GianMarco leads the performance and growth of Big Mamma’s fast-expanding UK and Ireland restaurant portfolio and brings a hugely inspiring career journey, having started on the restaurant floor before progressing through to COO.  As COO, GianMarco has played a key role in scaling that growth while maintaining the culture, hospitality standards and guest experience that have made Big Mamma such a standout success.

Throughout his career, including previous roles with Soho House and The Ned, GianMarco has developed a strong reputation for people-first leadership, scaling high-performing teams, delivering exceptional guest experiences, and balancing operational excellence with commercial growth.

GianMarco will be sharing honest insight into his career journey, leadership lessons, growth within hospitality, and the realities of building culture and performance within fast-moving businesses.

Joycelyn Neve, Founder and MD, Seafood Pub Company

Joycelyn Neve is a Lancashire-born hospitality entrepreneur who has been widely recognised as one of the most influential young leaders in UK hospitality winning a Cateys Pub and Bar Award, Publican’s Best Food Operator and Restaurant Magazine’s Pub Company of the Year.

Best known as the founder and long‑time Managing Director of the Seafood Pub Company she created the group in 2010 at the age of 25 combining Fleetwood‑sourced seafood (from her father, respected fish merchant Chris Neve) with relaxed, high‑quality dining.   Her career blends deep family roots in the fishing industry with a strong track record of building award‑winning gastropubs across the North of England.