New World Trading Company’s CEO Chris Hill, Yo!’s marketing director Luisa Fernandez, and Dishoom’s operations director Brian Trollip are the latest speakers now confirmed for Casual Dining 2018, which returns to the Business Design Centre in London on 21-22 February.
They’ll be appearing at the event alongside other big names from the Casual Dining Group, Mitchells & Butlers, Jamie’s Italian, PizzaExpress, Pho, and Loungers. Plus, over 200 exhibitors (across three floors at the BDC) showcasing a host of new products, equipment and services.
Chris Hill will be sharing his thoughts on the casual dining pub and bar sector in an exclusive interview, hosted by Peter Martin, VP of CGA, on the show’s opening day. He’ll be discussing his experiences in helping to grow New World Trading Company’s innovative portfolio, including their plans for further expansion, and how an important focus on staff development secured them a top ten ranking on ‘The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies’ to work for in 2017.
Luisa Fernandez, who joined Yo! as its marketing director earlier this year (having previously spent over 15 years working in-house at British Airways), will be making her Casual Dining speaking debut the following day (22 February). Using her experience as head of the innovation lab at BA, she’ll examine how other industries are using their customer data to personalise customer experience and how, in turn, casual dining operators can make the ‘power of personalisation’ work for them.
Another second day session highlight comes from Brian Trollip, who has been overseeing the day-to-day running of Dishoom’s operations since 2010. Voted the ‘Coolest UK Restaurant’ in 2016 by Cool Brands, and a new entry on this year’s ‘The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies’ list, the Indian restaurant group now has six sites and employs over 700 people. Trollip will be talking about their journey so far – focusing on their continued commitment to building a first-class business that operates in a ‘big-hearted’ and generous way.
From exclusive Keynotes and interviews, to research updates and panel discussions – each session at Casual Dining has been tailored specifically to address key business opportunities (and challenges) for casual dining operators. The initial Keynote programme will be available on the show’s website later this month. Speakers confirmed to date (in running order) include:
Jon Knight, CEO, Jamie Oliver Restaurant GroupWednesday 21 February
- Peter Backman, Peter Backman Foodservice: Preparing for the future – challenges facing the casual dining sector
- James Spragg, chief operating officer, Casual Dining Group: Brand evolution
- Simon Stenning, MCA: Casual dining and the levers of sales growth
- Mark Smith, MD, Pho: The delivery challenge
- Chris Hill, CEO, New World Trading Company: interviewed by Peter Martin, VP, CGA
- Jon Knight, CEO, Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group: Food for thought
- Susan Chappell, divisional director, Exec co, Mitchells & Butlers: Operating a range of brands and formats – the challenge to stay ahead
Thursday 22 February
- Graeme Loudon, CGA: The impact of rising food price inflation on casual dining operators
- Zoe Bowley, MD, PizzaExpress: Keeping PizzaExpress relevant after 53 years
- Jamie Campbell, CGA: Segment & conquer – looking beyond demographics to understand your consumer
- Brian Trollip, operations director, Dishoom: Building a big hearted and first-class business
- Nick Collins, CEO, Loungers: Loungers – no jackets required
- Luisa Fernandez, marketing director, Yo!: How well do you know your customers – what we can learn from other industries?
Informative, inspiring, innovative, and collaborative are just some of the words these speakers have used to describe the show. For them, like the thousands of visitors that regularly attend, it’s where the industry meets to do business.
Susan Chappell, divisional director, Exec co, Mitchells & Butlers“Casual Dining show is an opportunity to mix with all sorts of brilliant people from across our sector, discuss real issues that impact our industry, as well as sharing stories that inspire and energise us to do something differently!” says Mitchells & Butlers’ Susan Chappell.
Zoe Bowley, MD, PizzaExpress“It is important to connect with competitors and trade alike to ensure we share best practice and continue to focus on making this sector an attractive place to work and deliver memorable experiences. Casual Dining is a chance to share thinking and discuss the big topics facing the market, as well as to meet both new supplier opportunities and network with industry contacts,” says PizzaExpress’ Zoe Bowley.
Casual Dining returns to the Business Design Centre in London on 21-22 February 2018. Entry to the show’s Keynote Theatre (sponsored by Yumpingo) is free with advance visitor registration online now. The show’s initial exhibitor list is available to view at here.
For more information, and to register for a free trade ticket, please visit www.casualdiningshow.co.uk and quote priority code CD5