Partners In Purchasing to Speak at IFE 2009

Mar 13, 2009

On Tuesday 17th March, Diana Spellman, Managing Director of the UK’s premier procurement agency, Partners In Purchasing Ltd, will be one of the guest speakers at the International Food and Drink Event 2009 (IFE09) at ExCel in London.

The four day global food and drink event which runs from 15-18 March, will feature topical discussions and interactive debates entitled ‘Future Trends’, which will take place in the Seminar Theatre, offering visitors an insight into trends, forecasts and key issues affecting the future of the food and drink industry in this challenging climate.

Speaking on the topic of ‘Compromising Consumers – Managing Convenience’, Diana Spellman who co-founded Partners In Purchasing Ltd in 1997, will provide an overview of trends in the procurement industry including consumers’ eating habits and the demands it faces. She will be joined by fellow speakers Peter Davis, Director of the Ethical Corporation Institute (ECI) and Stephen Minall, Director of Moving Food Ltd, Wrapid.

Peter, who is Political Editor of Ethical Corporation, writes widely on the subject of social and political issues underlying social corporate responsibility (CSR) will report on sustainability with highlights from the recent research undertaken for Partners In Purchasing Ltd continuing monitoring of CR in the supply chain. Stephen Minall, who will look ahead at how using knowledge can be reused to benefit the supply industry, has an exceptional network within foodservice and retail food industries, developing branded FMCG products and amongst other successes, managing and owning restaurants in the USA.

Diana Spellman, Managing Director of Partners In Purchasing Ltd says: “It’s important to examine to what extent the supply chain reflects consumer needs and how this can be addressed. Too frequently trends are confused by stakeholders in the supply chain and convenience can often profit the producer to a far greater extent than the consumer. Long term trends are distorted by short term noise which can have detrimental consequences.”

The seminar will reflect upon the importance of harnessing responsible decision making through the supply chain. Creating good social values remains key and responsible decisions are going to remain driven by procurement. Adds Diana Spellman: “The industry has to remain at the top of its game and be forward thinking. We cannot second guess what consumers want but need to embrace change, social networking and the new ways there are to purchase, inform, educate and keep in touch with consumer needs.”

Compromising Consumers – Interactive Lunch on Managing Convenience will take place on Tuesday 17th March 12-12.45pm at the Seminar Theatre.

In addition to Future Trends, IFE09 will host some 1200 UK and International exhibitors in 15 dedicated product sections, a world-class line up of visitor attractions including Innovation Live, The Skillery sponsored by Silver Hill Foods.

Pre-registering for IFE09 is available by www.ife.co.uk and click on the register button on the home page.

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