Nature and biodiversity are essential for resilient food systems, providing vital ecosystem services including, soil health, insect-assisted pollination, natural pest control and genetic diversity. In today’s globalised world, food systems have become a key factor in biodiversity loss and the ripple effects on subsequent ecosystems are profound. Nevertheless, institutions, practitioners and the entire F&D supply chain have deployed long-term strategies that support nature, regenerate agriculture, protect vital ecosystems and feed a growing population. Hear from leading experts on what is required to regenerate nature in future food systems.
2025
Stuart Lendrum
Kate Dixon
Head of Sustainability, Innovation and Marketing at Muntons. Following over 15 years experience in international marketing and innovation, Kate joined Muntons in 2020 where she extended her reach to become head of Sustainability & Strategy. Muntons are world’s most sustainable malt and malted ingredients business, producing the core ingredients for many of the biggest brands in food and drink, including beer, whisky, confectionary, and baked goods. As a company they have put sustainability at the heart of what they do since 2010, reducing their carbon footprint by over 50% and were recently recognised with the Kings Award for Sustainable Development in recognition of their extensive efforts.
Tom Blower
Luke Quinn
Zack Polanski
Zack Polanski was elected to the London Assembly in May 2021. He is a strong advocate for electoral reform and has been a spokesperson for Make Votes Matter.
Zack’s background has been in the gig economy, and he has worked as an actor, youth worker, mental health counsellor and in the hospitality sector.
Zack is currently a property guardian and has first-hand experience of London’s housing crisis.
He is committed to campaigning for the introduction of a basic income and championing London’s creative and cultural sectors.
William Strong
Dr Stella Child
Dr Stella Child is a research and grants manager at the Good Food Institute. GFI is a global non-profit organisation that aims to advance plant-based, fermentation and cultivated meat, eggs, seafood and dairy. We work with scientists, businesses and policymakers to advance open-access research, and bring new talent to the field, in order to achieve a sustainable food system.
Stella has a PhD in chemistry from the University of Adelaide and completed her postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University, before working on research funding policy at UK Research and Innovation. Stella’s role at GFI focuses on understanding the research funding landscape and research priorities for alternative proteins in Europe.
Olivier Tomat
With a broad experience in management, business development, transnational projects, and supporting innovative entrepreneurs, Olivier Tomat has established himself as a leader in the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Olivier has been active in the field of innovation support and entrepreneurship for over 10 years. Throughout this period, he has worked in various functions at all levels, quickly transitioning from operational to managerial roles. Currently, Olivier serves as the Executive Director of Entrepreneurship and Acceleration at Genopole, a position he has held since 2019, where he oversees strategic initiatives for early stage startup growth in the biotech sector.Before joining Genopole, Olivier was an International Innovation Expert for the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he built operational relationships between French innovation stakeholders and Northern California’s ecosystem.
Sarah Langford
