Trade body Scottish Bakers is to unveil a five-year strategic roadmap at its annual conference on 10 and 11 May 2024.
Scottish Bakers chief executive Lesley Cameron said the strategy, to be revealed at the two-day event at the Hilton Glasgow, will drill down into how the association can support its members under three clearly defined pillars – agility & collaboration, growth, and sustainability.
“Since joining Scottish Bakers late last year, I have taken the time to listen to our members and to understand the challenges they face,” Cameron said. “The strategy I will be unveiling at our conference this year will work hard to support their needs to be agile and to innovate sustainably if individual and sector growth is to be delivered. I am excited to present the plans to members and to get to work driving the strategy for the good of all.”
Cameron, who joined the organisation from Quality Meat Scotland, discussed her initial plans with British Baker earlier this year. She said it would underpin the growth of the sector by helping Scottish Bakers’ members with horizon scanning, insight, and economic data to help them stay prepared for the challenges ahead.
Conference programme
Alongside the unveiling of the roadmap, the conference – titled ‘In the mix: bake to innovate’ – will also see experts in a variety of provide practical advice and food for thought. Mich Turner MBE will be returning as conference host, with a full programme which will focus on innovation, consumers, insights, new product development, reformulation, and growth.
The keynote address will be delivered by Jeremy White, senior innovation editor at Wired magazine, who will be taking a deep dive into the future of AI in the bakery sector and what it could look like in 10 years’ time. Biochemist and fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, Judith Batchelar OBE will talk about what sustainability really means to bakery businesses and how they can become more sustainable and cost efficient.
There are also several interactive taster sessions in the afternoon on Saturday 11 May. These are:
- Start with the consumer in mind – drive innovation: this interactive session will see delegates split into teams of five where they will be tasked with developing an NPD idea. It will be led by Mark Thomson, insight director at TRKR.
- Consumer to shelf: This session will focus on delivering exciting NPD, meeting a new buyer for the first time, and developing the relationship. It will be hosted by Andy Maclachlan, MD of retail consultancy Food2market.
- The customer journey, brand awareness through social media: This taster session will focus on creating brand awareness for your business through social media.
The awards ceremonies, meanwhile, will see the winners revealed in a variety of product categories as well as the bakery that takes home the trophy of Scottish Baker of the Year. Contenders for the title in 2024 include Fisher & Donaldson, Mimi’s Bakehouse, and Stephens Bakery.
Tickets for the awards ceremony and conference can be purchased through the Scottish Bakers website.
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