There are still a few places left for the pre-eminent seminar and think-tank for business leaders from the UK eating-out market.
Restaurant 2009, organised by M&C Report and now just four weeks away, will feature an unrivalled line-up of speakers.
Topping the bill are three high-profile speakers who between them play very different roles in the UK eating-out market: Luke Johnson, Mark Price and Tim Smith.
Johnson, who is head of Risk Capital Partners, the private equity group that has stakes in Giraffe and Patisserie Valerie, will outline the current challenges in the market, but also explain why he thinks that we are reaching the most exciting phase in the business cycle. The Channel Four chairman, who used to chair Pizza Express, will also engage in a Q&A session with conference delegates.
Price, who is managing director of Waitrose, will explain the secrets behind the John Lewis Partnership programme, and his company’s approach to people, culture and training. He will also touch on Waitrose’s approach to the away-from-home market, given its recent foray into travel-hub locations.
Smith, chief executive of the Food Standards Agency, will discuss the findings of a four-month calorie labelling trial, undertaken at 450 outlets in conjunction with 21 catering companies. He will outline the next steps towards a wider roll out of calorie labelling in the restaurant sector and also explore future policy scenarios designed to make us leaner and healthier.
Other guest speakers include:
Eren Ali, chief executive, Las Iguanas
Tim Bacon, chief executive, Living Ventures
John Barnes, chairman, Novus Leisure
Andy Bassadone, managing director, Cote
Lee Cash, co-founder, Peach Pub Company
Greg Feehely, head of research, Altium
Paul Flatters, managing partner, Trajectory
Zeev Godik, chief executive, Gaucho Grill
Tony Hughes, independent director and consultant
David McHattie, chief executive, Sector Skills Academy
Eric Partaker, co-founder, Chilango
Shahrokh Parvin, managing director, Del’Aziz
Jeffrey Young, managing director, Allegra Strategies
Mark Stretton, editor of M&C Report, said: “While every day trading is undoubtedly challenging at the moment, with a different set of challenges to those of 24 months ago, it’s important we all remember that the cycle will turn, the game will change, and growth will return to the restaurant market.
“It is with that in mind that we have structured this year’s annual gathering of business leaders from the UK restaurant market. This high-level congress will focus on some of the current issues, but also the future, and on some of the fundamentals that apply no matter where we are in the business cycle – such as innovation and people.”
M&C Report’s Restaurant 2009, which is attended by senior executives – typically board-level directors – from leading eating-out groups, suppliers and the finance community, will take place at the Mayfair Hotel on November 5.
To be a part of this key event or for more information call Helen Law on 01293 846587
