Delegates at this month’s Unitas conference will be challenged and inspired by two prominent keynote speakers; Henry Dimbleby, whose recommendations on sustainable and healthy food provision are expected to influence the Government, and the team-building strategist James Kerr.

Dimbleby is the managing Partner of Bramble Partners, and co-founder and former CEO of Leon restaurants. He is the author of Ravenous: How to get ourselves and our planet into shape, an analysis of how our food system is malfunctioning, and what to do about it. 

From 2018 to 2023, he was an advisor to Defra, and authored the independent National Food Strategy, which recommended a sugar and salt tax along the lines of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. His expertise in healthy and sustainable food supply is rumoured to be influencing the new Government’s legislative plan.

James Kerr helps create high performance cultures for elite teams and organisations. He is best known for the global best-seller Legacy, which provides a unique insight into the culture of the dominant New Zealand All Blacks Rugby team.

His presentation will explore the driving forces that lead good teams to extraordinary results, underpinned by a climate in which leaders create leaders. He will also cover the impact that female leaders can have in previously male dominated environments, the challenges of engaging millennials, the shift from a transactional towards a transformative leadership style.

Unitas Managing Director John Kinney said: “This year’s conference is all about mapping out a path for growth through partnership throughout the supply chain. Henry will challenge us all to join him in shaping the future of food systems, and to consider our role in improving the nation’s diet. James has a fantastic story to tell on what makes teams stronger than the sum of their parts and that’s a message that sits right at the heart of our theme for the conference.”

“Both our keynotes challenge us to consider our legacy – the impact we will have on our teams, our industry partners, the products we sell and the communities we serve. We are looking forward to thought-provoking, inspiring and potentially game-changing contributions from both of them.”

As well as three days of business insight and discussion, the conference in Vilamoura, Portugal offers suppliers one-to-one meeting with Unitas members, evening event including a gala dinner, and afternoon activities to make the most of the glorious Algarve setting.