The UK Seafood Summit has attracted an impressive line-up of speakers from trade, industry and science for its inaugural event with topics covered including Brexit and the effect of microplastics on the marine environment

Formerly known as the Humber Seafood Summit, the annual event is widely recognised as the two most important days in the UK seafood calendar. It is organised by Seafish, the public body that supports the £10bn UK seafood industry. This year the Summit has rebranded to reflect the national flavour of the event and has moved to the Forest Pines Hotel, Broughton in the Humber region to accommodate more delegates due to increasing attendance each year.

The keynote speaker for 2018 is Ursula Lidbetter MBE, Chairwoman of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, and member of the Government’s Food and Drink Sector Council (FDSC), representing all LEPs. The FDSC is.a formal industry led board comprised of businesses from every part of the food chain to create a more sustainable and productive food sector from farm to fork.

It is Ursula’s first time at the Summit and her talk will focus on the growth of the food chain. She said: “I am delighted to be addressing the UK Seafood Summit. The seafood industry is a key part of the Greater Lincolnshire economy and a sector I am keen to promote both through my role as Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and on DEFRA’s Food & Drink Sector Council.”

This year it’s expected 300 key opinion formers will join respected industry leaders and government officials from the UK and Europe to discuss issues around consumer demands, consumption trends, innovation, sustainable sourcing, the supply chain, and the changing political, economic and regulatory landscape in relation to Brexit. 

Other speakers include Andrew Oliver from Andrew Jacksons Solicitors who will be focusing on the impact of Brexit on international seafood trade, and Simon Smith from The Saucy Fish Company who will talk about innovation and consumer messages, while Dr Peter Kershaw will explore his work for the UN in the effect of microplastics on the marine environment. For a full list of the speakers visit the website.

Seafish Chief Executive, Marcus Coleman, said: “Seafood is the way forward for business, communities, the environment and for personal health and wellbeing.

“We’ve got some exceptional speakers lined up and this summit provides an invaluable opportunity for the industry to come together to network, share ideas and discuss major issues, at a time of great change and opportunity.”

The two-day summit opens on Wednesday 17th October with an afternoon networking event, followed by the Seafood Fayre showcasing seafood from around the UK and local produce. The conference takes place the following day on Thursday 18th October.

Registration is now open for those who wish to attend the summit 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.