Unitas will be looking beyond the wholesale sector at September’s annual conference, with three inspirational guest speakers bringing their insight and foresight to the stage in Istanbul.

Trend forecaster Kate Ancketill, performance psychologist Jamil Qureshi and UK Hospitality Chair Kate Nicholls OBE will lead the discussion on the event’s theme of Shaping Tomorrow Together, revealing their predictions of how economy, technology, climate and consumer behaviour are likely to change food production and distribution in the short and longer term.

With further contributions from industry experts, wholesalers and the Unitas Support Centre team, the conference is designed to help delegates understand not only what the future could look like, but also how to position their businesses to thrive within it.

Kate Ancketill is CEO and founder of trends, foresight and strategy consultancy GDR. She has advised over 30 of the world’s largest brands including P&G, Tesco, Moet Hennessy, Costa Coffee, The BBC and Lego. From climatic and economic headwinds to demographics and the advance of exponential technologies, she contextualises big shifts in consumer trends and demonstrates successful commercial adaptation, inspiring audiences with her optimism and giving them practical strategies for short and medium-term success. 

Jamil Qureshi is a world-recognised speaker on all aspects of the psychology of performance. He has helped six sports people get to number one in the world. He was the first-ever official golf psychologist for the European Ryder Cup team  and has worked with three Premiership football clubs and the 2009 Ashes winning cricket team. In business Jamil helps companies fulfil their potential,  including developing change and leadership programmes for Coca Cola and Unilever

Kate Nicholls OBE is Chair of UKHospitality, the powerful voice representing the hospitality sector. She sits on the Government’s Tourism, Hospitality, and Food & Drink Sector Councils, where she represents the wider hospitality and tourism sector. Kate is also the Chair of the Institute of Licensing, a board member of Best Bar None, and a trustee of the charities Hospitality Action and Springboard. 

Shaping Tomorrow Together is Unitas’ most ambitious conference to date, moving beyond the annual review of performance to explore the future direction of food distribution and the independent wholesale sector, and the group’s role in supporting and promoting its members and supplier partners.