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2025 Seminar Programme
The Accountex Summit Manchester 2025 CPD-accredited seminar programme featured 32 sessions across 4 theatres.
See the 2025 programme below.
Thanks to our platinum sponsors
Select Theatres
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Week of Sessions
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09:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
Chef Live Theatre
AHMED ABDALLA, HEAD CHEF, THE GRAND, YORK
11:30 - 12:00
Speakers:
Ahmed Abdalla
The Grand, York
Head Chef
AHMED ABDALLA, HEAD CHEF, THE GRAND, YORK
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Speakers:
Ahmed Abdalla
The Grand, York
Head Chef
lunch! NORTH Theatre
THE FUTURE OF FOOD-TO-GO. HOW WILL BRITAIN EAT
Drawing from the Future Foodservice report ‘How Will Britain Eat’, Simon will present new thinking about the ways in which Lunch and Food-To-Go will develop detailing new research into changes in the way that Britain will eat. Covering key food trends, challenges from changes in diets and consumption and the rise of snacking.
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THE MENU INNOVATION PANEL
Stay ahead of the curve with insights on the latest food-to-go and coffee trends. This panel will explore innovative menu concepts, emerging customer preferences and bold ideas shaping future menus.
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INTERVIEW: WILLIAM GORDON – HARRIS, CHAIRMAN & CEO, KNOOPS
We sit down with William to talk all things premium chocolate, the evolving food-to-go space and Knoops’ ambition plans for global expansion. A session not to be missed.
Read More >>THE OPERATIONS LEADERS PANEL
12:15 - 12:45
Don’t miss this popular panel of operations leaders from across food-to-go and coffee shops as they discuss what’s happening on the ground – from scaling teams and maintaining quality to keeping pace with ever-rising customer expectation.
Speakers:
Simon Stenning
FutureFoodservice.com
Founder
Will McIntosh
92 Degrees
Operations Director
Antony Baker
Auntie Anne's UK & Ireland
Director of Operations
THE OPERATIONS LEADERS PANEL
Don’t miss this popular panel of operations leaders from across food-to-go and coffee shops as they discuss what’s happening on the ground – from scaling teams and maintaining quality to keeping pace with ever-rising customer expectation.
Read More >>HOW TO OPEN NEW SITES PANEL
13:15 - 13:45
Discover the essentials of successful site launches – from location selection and funding to operational scalability – in this exciting panel session.
Speakers:
Simon Stenning
FutureFoodservice.com
Founder
Nick Garnell
Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen
Managing Director
Savannah Roqaa
The Savvy Baker
Founder/ Director
Mitch Renshaw
Sqew
Owner
HOW TO OPEN NEW SITES PANEL
Discover the essentials of successful site launches – from location selection and funding to operational scalability – in this exciting panel session.
Read More >>THE COFFEE SHOP LEADERS PANEL
14:15 - 14:45
Arrive early to listen to this panel of northern coffee shop leaders. Whether you’re scaling a chain or opening your second location, learn what works well in today’s competitive coffee shop market.
Speakers:
Chris Shelmerdine
Coffee House
Managing Director
Holly Kragiopoulos
North Star Coffee Roasters
CEO
Matt Farrell
Bold Street Coffee part of GSG Hospitality.
co-founder
Will Kenney
200 Degrees Coffee
Commercial Director
THE COFFEE SHOP LEADERS PANEL
Arrive early to listen to this panel of northern coffee shop leaders. Whether you’re scaling a chain or opening your second location, learn what works well in today’s competitive coffee shop market.
Read More >>THE MARKETING LEADERS PANEL
12:15 - 12:45
Take a seat early for this exciting panel discussion with four marketing experts. They will share insider perspectives into cutting-edge campaign strategies, customer engagement tactics and how to build brand loyalty in a competitive landscape.
Speakers:
Fran Cruse
Stray
Olivia Vachon
Wraps & Wings (part of Eatphoria)
Head of Marketing
Sabrina Ruia
Rhode Island Coffee
Head of Brand & Marketing
Marnie Ahmed
Archie's
Marketing Manager
Annabel Mackie
itsu
Marketing Director
THE MARKETING LEADERS PANEL
Take a seat early for this exciting panel discussion with four marketing experts. They will share insider perspectives into cutting-edge campaign strategies, customer engagement tactics and how to build brand loyalty in a competitive landscape.
Read More >>THE FOOD-TO-GO LEADERS PANEL
14:15 - 14:45
Hear from the leaders behind some of the fast-moving food-to-go chains as they share their expansion journeys, insights and winning strategies for building successful brands in today’s dynamic market.
Speakers:
Dimeji Daramola
Hospitality Consultant
Director
Mark Murphy
Burgerism
Founder
Sohail Ali
Chaiiwala
Richard Franks
Shake Shack
Alisha Oswell
Acai & The Tribe
THE FOOD-TO-GO LEADERS PANEL
Hear from the leaders behind some of the fast-moving food-to-go chains as they share their expansion journeys, insights and winning strategies for building successful brands in today’s dynamic market.
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FOOD TO GO SUCCESS IN 2026 & BEYOND: THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Gavin will share details of winning concepts and businesses from across Europe and beyond and highlight what you can learn from them to make your business stronger.
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INTERVIEW: CLAUDIO RIBEIRO, MD, FEDERAL COFFEE
In this exclusive interview Claudio will share his journey building the brand as well as revealing expansions plans for scaling an independent business successfully.
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INTERVIEW: NICK AYERST, MD, GAIL’S
Join Nick as he shares the secrets behind building one of Britain’s most beloved bakery brands – from artisan quality to strategic growth and customer experience.
Read More >>HANNAH MUNNS, UK TRADING RETAIL & HOSPITALITY, BP
The forecourt industry is evolving rapidly, with sites no longer just a stop along the way but a destination in their own right. Hannah will share insights into how customer behaviour is shifting, the challenges and opportunities facing operators, and how innovation in convenience, as well as the food and drink offer, can help drive growth.
Read More >>NRB Keynote Theatre
Kuits NRB Top 50 2026
INVITATION ONLY: The 13th Kuits NRB Top 50, the prestigious and much anticipated power list of the most important and influential operators within the Northern hospitality industry, will be unveiled at NRB 26. The 2026 awards will recognise the operators who, over the last twelve months, have gone from strength to strength.
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INTERVIEW: WILL BECKETT, CEO & CO-FOUNDER, HAWKSMOOR
Will returns to NRB to discuss growing your restaurants and bars nationally, and with the launches of Dublin, New York and Chicago Hawksmoor, internationally. Not to be missed!
Read More >>HEADING NORTH PANEL
13:45 - 14:15
Join Laura and other leading operators who have moved North to open up in Manchester and other great cities. They reveal their key learnings and successes over their first few years, as well as what comes next for their brilliant brands.
Speakers:
Chris Brazier
Northern Restaurant & Bar Show
Group Event Director
Laura Harper Hinton
Caravan
Founder
Maria McCann
Blacklock
Operations Director
HEADING NORTH PANEL
Join Laura and other leading operators who have moved North to open up in Manchester and other great cities. They reveal their key learnings and successes over their first few years, as well as what comes next for their brilliant brands.
Read More >>INTERVIEW: ALLEN SIMPSON, CEO, UK HOSPITALITY
Allen & Mark discuss the state of our industry and how UKH are lobbying government to create a fairer system for hospitality operators.
Read More >>THE STATE OF THE NORTH
10:45 - 11:15
Join Karl as he reveals how the North is standing up against considerable headwinds and actually leading the country in terms of growth for hospitality.
Speakers:
Karl Chessell
NIQ powered by CGA
THE STATE OF THE NORTH
Join Karl as he reveals how the North is standing up against considerable headwinds and actually leading the country in terms of growth for hospitality.
Read More >>Speakers:
Karl Chessell
NIQ powered by CGA
INTERVIEW: KENNY ATKINSON, CHEF PATRON, SOLSTICE / HOUSE OF TIDES / SOLAYA
14:45 - 15:15
Newcastle’s finest Kenny Atkinson not only holds 2 Michelin stars across his two Newcastle restaurants but this year also branched out to London opening Solaya. Here Kenny reveals that journey and all the challenges and opportunities that came with it.
Speakers:
Lucy Noone Blake
Lucy Noone Blake Ltd.
Founder
Kenny Atkinson
Solstice & House of Tides
Chef Owner
INTERVIEW: KENNY ATKINSON, CHEF PATRON, SOLSTICE / HOUSE OF TIDES / SOLAYA
Newcastle’s finest Kenny Atkinson not only holds 2 Michelin stars across his two Newcastle restaurants but this year also branched out to London opening Solaya. Here Kenny reveals that journey and all the challenges and opportunities that came with it.
Read More >>THE RESTAURANT MARKETING LEADERS PANEL
12:45 - 13:15
Our expert panel of marketing leaders reveal the strategies and essential tools they use to stay ahead of the competition, sharing insights on keeping customers engaged, delighted and coming back for more.
Speakers:
Jo Lynch
KAM
Account Director
Lucy Milne
Dishoom
James Newman
Mission Mars
Marketing + Sales Director
Lucy Simmonds
Blacklock
THE RESTAURANT MARKETING LEADERS PANEL
Our expert panel of marketing leaders reveal the strategies and essential tools they use to stay ahead of the competition, sharing insights on keeping customers engaged, delighted and coming back for more.
Read More >>RESTAURANT OPERATIONS LEADERS PANEL
13:45 - 14:15
Operations are the backbone of any establishment these operational leaders will share the diversity of their roles and the key skills they have developed to keep their business running smoothly and effectively
Speakers:
Jo Lynch
KAM
Account Director
Chris Botham
Bundobust
Operations Manager
GianMarco Carla
Big Mamma Group
Operation Director UK
Ioan Eyton – Jones
Brunning & Price
Lorna McVey
QVO Hospitality
Operations Manager
RESTAURANT OPERATIONS LEADERS PANEL
Operations are the backbone of any establishment these operational leaders will share the diversity of their roles and the key skills they have developed to keep their business running smoothly and effectively
Read More >>The Delivery Panel by Uber Eats
11:45 - 12:15
This session will highlight how to optimise your delivery channel to grow sales, trends within the market, as well as innovations coming in 2026 & beyond
Speakers:
Arvind Dharur
Uber Eats
Director, SMB Expansion
Chris Riley-Smith
Silvers Deli
Peter Backman
theDelivery.World
Hamed Ali
BURGER STOP®
CEO
Courtney Mackenzie
Joe & The Juice
The Delivery Panel by Uber Eats
This session will highlight how to optimise your delivery channel to grow sales, trends within the market, as well as innovations coming in 2026 & beyond
Read More >>THE HOSPITALITY LEADERS PANEL
14:45 - 15:15
Hear all about our industry from these inspirational innovators. Expect a lively debate on subjects including inclusivity, sustainability and so much more.
Speakers:
Chris Brazier
Northern Restaurant & Bar Show
Group Event Director
Jon Knight
TRGC
CEO
Eadaoin McDonagh
Lina Stores and White Rabbit Projects
Managing Director
Mayur Patel
Bundobust
Co-Owner
THE HOSPITALITY LEADERS PANEL
Hear all about our industry from these inspirational innovators. Expect a lively debate on subjects including inclusivity, sustainability and so much more.
Read More >>Feeding the Mounjaro Generation
10:45 - 11:15
Katy Moses, MD at KAM shares new research into the emerging “Mounjaro generation,” exploring how diet drug users are eating, drinking and socialising differently and how these shifts will impact menus, portions, pricing and the overall dining experience.
Speakers:
Katy Moses
KAM
Founder/MD
Feeding the Mounjaro Generation
Katy Moses, MD at KAM shares new research into the emerging “Mounjaro generation,” exploring how diet drug users are eating, drinking and socialising differently and how these shifts will impact menus, portions, pricing and the overall dining experience.
Read More >>Speakers:
Katy Moses
KAM
Founder/MD
Pub & Bar Theatre
The Best of BII: How Top Operators Are Keeping Pubs Thriving
11:00 - 11:30
Arrive early as The British Institute of Innkeeping reveal how the best operators, including a few recent LOYA winners, are fighting the considerable industry challenges and finding ways through for their staff and customers.
Speakers:
Steve Alton
BII
CEO
Anthony Hughes
Lincoln Green Brewing
Justine Bedford
The Royal Dyche, Burnley
Owner
Mike Dove
Three Horseshoes, Witney
Co-Owner
Tommy Higgs
Three Horseshoes, Witney
Director
The Best of BII: How Top Operators Are Keeping Pubs Thriving
Arrive early as The British Institute of Innkeeping reveal how the best operators, including a few recent LOYA winners, are fighting the considerable industry challenges and finding ways through for their staff and customers.
Read More >>Boosting Sales with Alcohol-Free
12:00 - 12:30
Discover how venues of all types are turning alcohol-free drinks into a sales success. This dynamic panel will share real-world strategies for building the perfect alcohol-free range, engaging customers, and driving revenue. Expect practical tips on curating offerings, boosting visibility, and increasing spend per head. Don’t miss it!
Speakers:
Laura Willoughby MBE
Club Soda
Jonathan Fraser-Prinn
The Alchemist
Director of Bars
Miley Penndragon
The Domino Club
Assistant General Manager
Tim Bird
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars
Co-Owner
Boosting Sales with Alcohol-Free
Discover how venues of all types are turning alcohol-free drinks into a sales success. This dynamic panel will share real-world strategies for building the perfect alcohol-free range, engaging customers, and driving revenue. Expect practical tips on curating offerings, boosting visibility, and increasing spend per head. Don’t miss it!
Read More >>The Mid-Strength Opportunity
15:00 - 15:30
As drinking habits shift, mid-strength alcohol is becoming the category to watch in the on-trade. With 50% of consumers now preferring two mid-strength drinks over one full-strength pint and more drinkers embracing ‘coasting’ - moderating their intake without sacrificing the social experience - this category is reshaping the way people drink in venues.
Join Club Soda, who will unveil fresh data on the mid-strength opportunity.
Then hear some key players in the mid-strength space as they are interviewed by Laura Willoughby, find out how mid-strength options can boost dwell time, increase sales, and enhance customer satisfaction. Expect real insights, expert opinions, and actionable strategies to help your venue make the most of this booming category.
Don't miss the chance to be at the forefront of this industry shift—join the discussion and discover why mid-strength is the future.
Speakers:
Laura Willoughby MBE
Club Soda
Jonathan Fraser-Prinn
The Alchemist
Director of Bars
Miley Penndragon
The Domino Club
Assistant General Manager
Tim Bird
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars
Co-Owner
The Mid-Strength Opportunity
As drinking habits shift, mid-strength alcohol is becoming the category to watch in the on-trade. With 50% of consumers now preferring two mid-strength drinks over one full-strength pint and more drinkers embracing ‘coasting’ - moderating their intake without sacrificing the social experience - this category is reshaping the way people drink in venues. Join Club Soda, who will unveil fresh data on the mid-strength opportunity. Then hear some key players in the mid-strength space as they are interviewed by Laura Willoughby, find out how mid-strength options can boost dwell time, increase sales, and enhance customer satisfaction. Expect real insights, expert opinions, and actionable strategies to help your venue make the most of this booming category. Don't miss the chance to be at the forefront of this industry shift—join the discussion and discover why mid-strength is the future.
Read More >>Opening New Pubs and Bars
13:00 - 13:30
This important panel looks at the must haves when opening new pubs and bars. What are the first things you should do? How do you involve an existing or new customer base? All this and more will be discussed.
Speakers:
Fran Cruse
Stray
Roxanne Dease
Pub & Bar Theatre
Liam Davy
Hawksmoor
Beverage Director
Louis Lees-Jones
JW LEES
Area Manager
Sam Pullan
Empire Cafe / Highland Laddie
Owner & Exec Chef
Opening New Pubs and Bars
This important panel looks at the must haves when opening new pubs and bars. What are the first things you should do? How do you involve an existing or new customer base? All this and more will be discussed.
Read More >>MULTISITE PUB & BAR LEADERS PANEL
14:00 - 14:30
We talk to the leaders behind some of the best multisite pub and bar brands regionally and nationally as they talk us through their challenges and opportunities for this year and beyond.
Speakers:
Roxanne Dease
Pub & Bar Theatre
Joycelyn Neve
Seafood Pub Co
Founder & MD
Simon Potts
Alchemist
CEO
MULTISITE PUB & BAR LEADERS PANEL
We talk to the leaders behind some of the best multisite pub and bar brands regionally and nationally as they talk us through their challenges and opportunities for this year and beyond.
Read More >>Nice-to-Have to Non-Negotiable: How Music Is Driving Hospitality in 2026
12:00 - 12:30
As margins tighten and competition for attention increases, leading hospitality operators are doubling down on music as a proven driver of footfall, dwell time and spend. This panel brings together operators who are actively putting music at the heart of their strategy to discuss what entertainment really means to their business, how it impacts commercial performance, and why venues that get music right are pulling ahead of the pack.
Speakers:
Kit Muir – Rogers
GigPig
Co-Founder
Kate Lister
New World Trading Company
Lucie Meiselle
Mission Mars
Sean Ashman
Stonegate Group
Senior General Manager
Nice-to-Have to Non-Negotiable: How Music Is Driving Hospitality in 2026
As margins tighten and competition for attention increases, leading hospitality operators are doubling down on music as a proven driver of footfall, dwell time and spend. This panel brings together operators who are actively putting music at the heart of their strategy to discuss what entertainment really means to their business, how it impacts commercial performance, and why venues that get music right are pulling ahead of the pack.
Read More >>
When is a pub not a pub? The blurring boundaries of a British institution
It is now a well-established trend that consumers prefer an earlier night out, and late venues are feeling the squeeze while pubs have stepped into the space. But as the classic institution stretches to meet this new demand its outlines have begun to blur, and it is time to reconsider what makes a pub a pub
Read More >>PUB & BAR MARKETING LEADERS PANEL
15:00 - 15:30
Our final Pub & Bar Theatre panel focuses on the key things that the best marketers are doing to keep their brands winning at a national, regional, and local level.
Speakers:
Roxanne Dease
Pub & Bar Theatre
Laura Lewis
Arc Inspirations
Marketing Director
Nick Coupland
The Liars Group
Head Of Brand + Marketing
Ruth Sherlock
GSG
Head of Sales
PUB & BAR MARKETING LEADERS PANEL
Our final Pub & Bar Theatre panel focuses on the key things that the best marketers are doing to keep their brands winning at a national, regional, and local level.
Read More >>COCKTAIL BAR LEADERS PANEL
14:00 - 14:30
This unmissable panel features the leaders behind some of the best bars in the country. They’ll reveal the secrets of keeping customers happy and innovation through drinks and marketing.
Speakers:
Fran Cruse
Stray
Joe Schofield
SCHOFIELD'S BAR, STERLING, ATOMECA,
Owner
Alan Sherwood
Little Mercies
Owner & Pot Wash
Roxanne Dease
Pub & Bar Theatre
COCKTAIL BAR LEADERS PANEL
This unmissable panel features the leaders behind some of the best bars in the country. They’ll reveal the secrets of keeping customers happy and innovation through drinks and marketing.
Read More >>
