Greater Manchester Food and Drink Network

Join us for a flagship event bringing together the very best of Greater Manchester's food and drink manufacturing sector.

As the first in a new semi-annual series, this event is designed to create valuable connections, share industry insights, and showcase the innovation driving one of the region's most important industries.

We're delighted to welcome Tom Fletcher from Firstplay Dietary Foods as a featured speaker. This fast-growing, family-owned manufacturer will share their journey of success, revealing how a clear focus on a niche market has fuelled sustained growth and created a strong competitive advantage.

Our keynote speaker, Mark Holmes from Smurfit Westrock, will explore the strategic role of packaging in modern manufacturing. His session will demonstrate how packaging decisions can enhance customer experience, strengthen brand value, improve operational efficiency, and directly impact profitability.

We’re also delighted to welcome an international guest speaker from Australia, Dan Helm from British Provender, who will share insight into the opportunities for food manufacturers looking to enter the Australian market. The session will explore key market opportunities, routes to market and the practical considerations for expanding internationally, alongside a brief overview of key food, labelling and import regulations.

The event will also give selected businesses the opportunity to pitch their products, services and innovations to the entire audience. Alongside this, an interactive workshop will provide practical ideas and proven approaches that attendees can take back and implement in their businesses immediately, ensuring every delegate leaves with tangible value from the day.

Food. Innovation. Growth. Connections.

One event. One industry. Endless opportunities.

By the end of this session, you will:

• Make valuable industry connections with leading food and drink manufacturers, suppliers and sector stakeholders from across Greater Manchester.

• Learn how leading manufactures are responding to market challenges and opportunities, building competitive advantage and scaling their businesses.

• Gain practical ideas, tools and recommendations you can implement within your business immediately.

• Have the chance to showcase your business, increase visibility and raise awareness among potential customers and collaborators.

• Explore the latest trends, innovations and developments while becoming part of a new flagship regional manufacturing network.

Bio of Deliverers

Tom Fletcher - FirstPlay Dietary Foods

Tom is Managing Director of FirstPlay Dietary Foods, a specialist manufacturer creating innovative food products for people living with Phenylketonuria (PKU) and other inherited metabolic disorders. By focusing on a highly specialised market, Tom has built a business driven by expertise, innovation and customer understanding. In his session, ‘Mastering a Niche,’ he will share how specialisation, collaboration and a commitment to improving lives have fuelled growth, innovation and long-term success.

Mark Holmes - Smurfit Westrock

Mark, General Manager at Smurfit Westrock, brings extensive manufacturing leadership experience, from large multi-site operations to growing start-up facilities. A Chartered Mechanical Engineer, he specialises in operational excellence, continuous improvement and business performance. In his session, ‘The Importance of Packaging,’ Mark will explore how packaging supports customer experience, brand identity, sustainability and supply chain efficiency, demonstrating why it is a strategic asset for businesses across all sectors.

Dan Helm - British Provender

British Provender is a family-owned Australian importer and distributor of international food brands, operating nationally for over 40 years. Based in Western Australia, the business is led by brothers Dan and Stuart Helm. Dan, Operations Manager since 2011, also serves as the UK Government’s Food and Drink Trade Champion in Australia. With strong retailer relationships and deep market expertise, British Provender helps UK food and drink brands successfully enter and grow in the Australian market. They have worked with brands such as Colman's, Irn Bru and Vimto to mentioned but a few.

Tom Haworth - GM Business Growth Hub

Tom is an award-winning Manufacturing Advisor with expertise in manufacturing, innovation, and business growth. Specialising in food manufacturing, he helps businesses improve productivity, optimise processes, and implement continuous improvement. With entrepreneurial experience as founder of TechnoSpark, Tom combines strategic insight with practical delivery, supporting manufacturers to embrace innovation, strengthen operations, and achieve sustainable growth.

Kate Knight - GM Business Growth Hub

With over 25 years’ experience in operations, customer service, fulfilment and business support, Kate is a Manufacturing Advisor dedicated to helping businesses improve performance and achieve sustainable growth. Formerly Head of Internal Client Operations at BHID Group, she led client services, aftercare and scheduling functions for premium manufacturing brands, driving operational transformation and service excellence. Their expertise spans process improvement, customer experience, team leadership, post-acquisition integration and delivering efficient, customer-focused solutions.

We have a limited number of places available for this event. If your plans change and you are unable to attend, we would appreciate it if you could let us know so that we can offer your ticket to another attendee.

Eligibility:

As this workshop is fully-funded, businesses are subject to funders' eligibility criteria. We may call or email you to determine your eligibility. If your place is confirmed, you will receive an email from bghworkshops@growthco.uk with further details.

For more information on how your data is stored please visit our privacy policy.

Agenda

08:45 - Doors Open

08:45 - 09:30 - Arrival / Registration / Networking

09:30 - 09:35 - Welcome and Introductions

09:35 - 09:55 - Unlocking Food and Drink Exporting Opportunities in Australia

09:55 - 10:40 - The Power of Mastering a Niche

10:40 - 11:00 - Business Pitches

11:00 - 11:15 - Break

11:15 - 11:40 -  Workshop: Can AI Speed Up Your Inbox

11:40 - 12:25 - The Importance of Packaging

12:25 - 12:30 - Explaining the One-to-One Meetings

12:30 - 14:00 - Lunch & Networking / One-to-One Meetings

14:00 - Event Close