Food and Grocery Australia (FGA) unites CEOs and senior executives from across the fast-moving consumer goods sector, offering a premier platform for industry leadership.
In the wake of recent global disruptions, alongside ongoing political, economic, and social shifts, the 2026 program promises to be an essential investment for business leaders. Attendees will gain cutting-edge insights, diverse perspectives, and actionable strategies to navigate today's complex landscape.
The event provides an un-paralleled networking occasion for top executives and the opportunity to hear from a range of local and global keynote speakers on key themes influencing and impacting our industry.
Have a question about attending or sponsoring? Contact us today!
Amanda Bardwell
Amanda Bardwell was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director on 21 February 2024, effective 1 September 2024.
Prior to this, Amanda was Managing Director of WooliesX, leading the Group's eCommerce, digital and rewards and loyalty businesses since March 2017. Amanda joined Woolworths Group in 2001 and has held a number of roles across both the Supermarket and Drinks businesses. Amanda holds an MBA from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology Queensland and is a member of Chief Executive Women.
Andrew Morlet
Andrew Morlet, recently retired CEO and Chair of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK), joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in 2013 to define and launch its business programmes and became Chief Executive in 2014. Previously Andrew was the global managing director for information and technology strategy at Accenture and a partner with McKinsey & Company developing corporate and business unit strategy, working at the Board level of leading global companies across multiple sectors in the USA, UK/Europe and Asia. Prior to entering consulting Andrew worked in the not for profit sector as a clinical epidemiology and healthcare research scientist.
Brad Howarth
Brad Howarth is obsessed with helping people and organisations adapt to change. As a writer, researcher
and author Brad has been examining the impact of technology-driven change on business and society for
25 years, writing for local and international publications including The Australian and BRW, and now he
primarily works on developing whitepapers and research reports. Brad works with an extensive network of
collaborators and thought -leaders, and brings an evidence-based approach to understanding current and
future scenarios based on identifying case studies that represent best practice and defining their shared
traits.
Brad has authored four books focusing on topics including change and adaptation, entrepreneurship and
innovation, and life in a highspeed broadband society, and continues to contribute to numerous
publications in Australia and around the world.
Brad is involved in an ongoing research program to understand and respond to the impact of technologydriven
change. He works directly with businesses and community organisations to create strategy
documents, research reports and discussion papers, and facilitates workshops that bring greater
understanding regarding the impact of change and the possible responses.
Some of the findings of this work are included in his books Managing for Change and Innovation is for
Everyone, co-authored with Peter Fritz AM, and he continues to write on these topics for numerous
publications here and around the world.
Brad is also a passionate advocate for the need to ensure that all members of society can share the
benefits of digital technology, having served as Ambassador for the Broadband for the Bush Alliance and
Champion for the National Year of Digital inclusion. Brad believes that as more and more elements of
society switch to digital technology it is vital that we do not create a society of digital ˜haves and ˜have
nots, but instead ensure everyone has access to digital services and the training to use them effectively.
Brad is an accomplished Keynote Speaker on the topic of change, delivering presentations focusing on
topics such as the impact of technology on business and society, the future of work and management
structures, and how organisations can best understand and respond to change.
He is also in demand as an MC, having hosted conferences and events for organisations including the
Committee for Melbourne, the AHRI, and Worksafe Tasmania. Brad brings deep domain experience
across numerous industries, and his background as a journalist makes him well suited to facilitating
panel sessions and on-stage interviews.
Brads message is simple “If change is not optional, then neither is foresight."
Craig Woolford
Craig Woolford began at MST Marquee in June 2021 and was most recently the Head of Research for Citi Australia/NZ. He led a team of more than 50 staff responsible for analysing stocks, interest rates and the economy. Craig was also the lead Consumer Analyst at Citi, leading the team that ranked top three with clients in both Retail and Food & Beverages. Craig was at Citi for 16 years and prior to that was at CommSec as a lead analyst on the Consumer sector for four years. He is regularly cited in industry journals and the media for his insights about the state of Australian retailing and performance of the major companies across the retail and food and beverages sectors. Craig also has experience in funds management and debt capital markets.
Craig Woolford is appointed as an authorised representative of Retail Mosaic Pty Ltd, who is an authorised representative of MST Financial.
David Croft
David leads sustainability for Reckitt, the leading global health and home hygiene company which reaches billions of people around the world.
He is responsible for their work on environmental and social sustainability worldwide, integrating this within the core business. It means working with farmers, communities, manufacturers and customers across an international supply network alongside Reckitt’s global supply chain, brand, R&D and customer teams together with global functions and the leadership team. His work stems from a personal goal to develop inclusive growth at scale through the organsiations and partnerships he is part of.
David has a wealth of leadership experience from major global companies, holding senior roles within Diageo, Kraft Foods and Cadbury, and the UK retailers, Waitrose and the Co-operative Group. With these, he led technical, quality, marketing and sustainability functions to deliver growth and consumer engagement through stronger sustainable supply chains, product quality, brand equity and shared value.
David also chairs the Business Industry Advisory Council’s Development Committee, leading private sector input to the OECD Development Committee. Amongst other external roles, he is a member of the TNFD taskforce, contributing to the development of nature and biodiversity measurement and disclosure.
Dustin Garis
- "The #1 most engaging and mind-blowing keynote!" - American Marketing Association
- Leads transformational change across nearly all industries and regions of the globe
- The “Indiana Jones of Marketing,” pioneer for billion-dollar brands at American Express, P&G, The Coca-Cola Company, Ericsson, and other Fortune 500s and entrepreneurial ventures
Dustin Garis is a world-renowned brand innovator, consistently voted “the #1 event speaker.” Throughout his disruptive career at some of the world’s most breakthrough companies, such as The Coca-Cola Company, Procter & Gamble, and Ericsson, Garis was known as “Chief Troublemaker” for his ability to push the boundaries of innovation, customer experience, and change leadership.
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Garis brings the same no-holds-barred approach to his keynotes that helped him blaze trails in the world’s largest companies and entrepreneurial startups. His deep insights and charismatic persona keep audiences captivated while helping organizations embark on the next frontier of innovation—whether he’s break-dancing on stage or blowing wide open the rise of the “experience revolution” with anecdotes and visuals. With a particular focus on how brands can enrich lives, Garis offers examples of brands that are getting it right by “revolting against routine,” and creating memorable experiences to drive engagement among Gen X/Y/Z consumers and employees.
Garis was a leader of global innovation & marketing for P&G FutureWorks—an innovation epicenter responsible for accelerating discontinuous growth by incubating, launching, and scaling a billion-dollar pipeline of breakthrough ventures worldwide. This includes P&G’s momentous shift into services, with the Mr. Clean Car Wash and Tide Dry Cleaners. Garis also launched the P&G FutureWorks Global division in Singapore, deploying new business models and technologies across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Garis earned the title of “Indiana Jones of Marketing” when he embarked on a global expedition to over 50 countries across six continents, to uncover the secret to building life-changing brands. As other testaments to his non-traditional approach to innovation, Garis has been known to begin meetings with opera singers, convert an elevator into his office, bucket bathe in rural India, eat blindfolded, travel the office by Segway, ride an 1,800-pound bull in a rodeo, and other experiments that keep HR awake at night.
Beyond his changemaker leadership roles in corporate innovation and billion-dollar brands, Garis now helps other organizations accelerate their innovation capabilities and company culture, as a Chief Troublemaker-in-Residence. He leverages lessons from the world’s most innovative brands (Google, Zappos, Southwest Airlines, Airbnb, etc.), best practices in change leadership, as well as insight into the Millennial-led social movement LifeProfit, which is now fueling an experiential brand revolution across multinationals and entrepreneurial startups.
Michele Levine
Michele Levine was born with a passion for people and what makes them tick, social justice and an insatiable curiosity about life.
With over 30 years’ experience as a researcher, Michele has been responsible for thousands of surveys, including many of the largest research projects ever undertaken in Australia, many of which continue to play a critically important part in shaping our society today.
With a fundamental belief in the empowering value of information, Michele was instrumental in the development and refinement of Roy Morgan Single Source, the world’s leading consumer study (based on over 50,000 interviews a year) and, in 2010, the introduction of the Roy Morgan Business Survey.
Michele was ahead of her time in foreseeing the exponential growth of Big Data and, consequently the need for software (like ASTEROID) which can manage and order massive volumes of data – as well as the need for highly trained analysts and data scientists who can help make sense of it.
Mike Anthony
Mike is an accomplished author, speaker, consultant, trainer, and coach with 30 years of experience working with leading consumer goods companies such as Unilever, Nestle, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Sony, Electrolux, Philips, and GSK, among many others. With extensive senior-level experience in Marketing, Trade Marketing, and Sales, Mike has co-authored the worldwide bestseller, The Shopper Marketing Revolution, establishing himself as a globally recognised expert in shopper marketing, retail, and consumer goods sales and marketing.
As a keynote speaker, he has been invited to address audiences at both online and offline conferences and corporate events worldwide, inspiring change and encouraging new ways of thinking. In his role as a consultant, Mike collaborates with many of the world’s most renowned brands across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, helping managers implement practical changes to marketing and sales strategies that significantly enhance brand performance, ROI, and organisational capability. Mike also serves as the Global CEO and co-founder of engage, a global management consultancy, and is a resident expert at shoppermarketingexperts.com.
Dr Peter Fuda
For more than two decades, Dr. Peter Fuda has been a Sherpa to leaders, teams and organizations across the globe as a consultant, coach, author, researcher, speaker and professor of management.
Peter and his team at The Alignment Partnership (TAP) have created dozens of cases of business transformation, and thousands of individual cases of leadership transformation around the world. Clients include MasterCard, Kraft, Microsoft, Dow Jones & Co, Philips, Mecca, Guzman y Gomez, Bayer, Mars, Luxottica, Foxtel, Macquarie Group, MSD, Westpac, Lenscrafters, Telstra, Suncorp, The Washington Post, Domain Group, Rabobank, Scentre Group, Westfield, and the Wall Street Journal, among many others. In an environment where 70% of all change efforts fail, TAP has a better than 90% success rate.
Peter has coached more than 250 CEOs to measurably increase their leadership effectiveness and performance.
Peter is the first Australian published on transformation in the Harvard Business Review. He is the Executive Producer of the documentary film Beyond the Superhero, licensed to Qantas. He is the author of the international bestselling book Leadership Transformed; How Ordinary Managers Become Extraordinary Leaders and has taught his original content in the MBA program at Macquarie Business School for several years.
Peter has completed countless speaking engagements to hundreds of thousands of people on four continents, is a regular commentator across print, TV and radio media.
He is a partner to the Wall Street Journal; regularly speaking at their events around the world including the WEF in Davos, CEO Council and Tech Live forums.
Peter holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s degree in Commerce, and a Bachelor of Arts with first-class honours.
Toby Smith
Toby Smith is a highly accomplished leader in the fast-moving consumer goods sector with over two decades of experience in senior roles at Mondelēz International, custodians of iconic and much-loved brands including Cadbury Dairy Milk, Oreo, Clorets gum and The Natural Confectionery Company.
As the President for Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, a role he assumed in January 2025, Toby oversees a vibrant business unit comprising 2300 employees, eight manufacturing facilities, and relationships with over 700 local suppliers.
Previously he served as Vice President of Sales Australia (2021-2024). In his 20 plus years with the company, Toby has held numerous sales roles across Australia and in China earning recognition for his ability to foster long-term growth and strong customer relationships. His leadership was instrumental in Mondelēz International being the preferred supplier of its customers four out of the last five years.
A proven innovator, Toby is a leader who thrives on inspiring teams to challenge conventional thinking in responding to the changing world of snacking and growing consumer snacking habits. He is passionate about igniting long-term focuses across his team, and in achieving bold growth for the chocolate, candy and biscuit brands in Mondelēz International’s portfolio and using brands to positively contribute to communities and inspiring a purpose-led team.
Outside of his professional endeavours, Toby is married, has three sons, and enjoys playing golf and surfing in his hometown of Barwon Heads, Victoria.
Trish Pegorer
The Corporate: A Commerce graduate of the University of Sydney,Trish Pegorer is an FMCG sales and marketing specialist with over 25 years' experience, 13 of those years spent working global market leading Italian FMCG brands, Mutti & Monini. Trish launched Mutti into the Australian retailmarket in 2011 and Monini in 2014 and has been instrumental in the rapid growth of both brands in the retail sector, now worth a combined RSV of $90mil.
In 2019 Trish was appointed Managing Director of Mutti Australia Pty Ltd which is now the 3rd largest export market for the Mutti Group ($1bil AUD) and the largest market outside of Europe. She is accountable for developing the strategic growth roadmap for future expansion for Australia, leading a team of senior sales and marketing specialists charged with growing range, distribution and brand through Food Service, Independent retailers, and Major Grocery channels.
In recent years Mutti Australia has garnered the attention of the industry, achieving an Advantage Score of 51 (rank #2) Dry Grocery in 2022, and 46 (rank #5) in 2023. In 2022 Mutti Australia was also awarded Woolworths Grocery Supplier of the Year and was one of 4 nominees for Woolworths Overall Supplier of the Year and in 2024 awarded Woolworths Best Marketing Campaign of the Year. Most recently Trish has led the brand to market leadership in Australia in Canned Tomatoes & Total Shelf Stable Tomatoes (Red Sector).* (Circana MAT 12/11/23)
The Activist: Beyond her capabilities as a leader in FMCG, Trish is also a passionate advocate for people and projects of purpose with a driving passion to channel her energy and strengths to make a positive impact to the issues we face as people and planet – climate, health and more. She is a board director and active contributor to Climate Force, an NGO based in The Daintree, FNQ, that develops and organic reforestation methodologies to support the acceleration of environmental and community resilience.
She is also the driving force behind the national roll out of the Veggie Buddies 10 week play based primary school curriculum that teaches kids about the source of the food, embedding healthy food habits in a child’s formative years.
Her business acumen is also extended to her role as Strategic Advisor for social enterprise, Giwewrap™, wrapping paper the gives 50% profits to charity.
The Mum: Trish is also a loving mother of two energetic teenage boys and balances her drive and ambition with spending down time outdoors in nature, practicing yoga and being involved in local charity and community initiatives.
Doug Jones
Doug is an experienced executive with extensive wholesale, retail and eCommerce experience in Canada, South Africa and Australia.
He has held senior finance, supply chain and general management roles at in Makro SA, Massmart Limited, Amalgamated Beverages Industries Limited and The South African Breweries, all in Johannesburg, Coca-Cola Enterprises in Canada, and Deloitte in both Canada and South Africa.
He is a chartered accountant having qualified in South Africa, and registered in both South Africa and Australia and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ghufran Iftikhar
With over 15 years of experience in digital transformation, Ghufran Iftikhar has dedicated his career to assisting organisations in navigating the complexities of technological evolution. An alumnus of the International University in Germany, Ghufran has developed a robust expertise in Salesforce solutions, enabling businesses to optimise their operations and achieve strategic objectives.
Throughout his career, Ghufran has been instrumental in guiding clients through the adoption and integration of cutting-edge technologies. His deep understanding of the digital landscape, combined with a commitment to client success, has established him as a trusted advisor in the industry.
Ghufran's professional journey reflects a passion for leveraging technology to drive business growth and efficiency. His collaborative approach and dedication to continuous learning have allowed him to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving tech industry.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Ghufran is committed to knowledge sharing and mentorship, contributing to the broader tech community. His insights and experiences serve as valuable resources for organisations aiming to embark on their own digital transformation journeys.
Michelle Newton
Michelle: Futurist and Strategic Forecaster
With over 25 years of experience in forecasting and consulting, Michelle leads the cultural and commercial forecasting capability at Fiftyfive5, part of Accenture Song. Her journey includes a decade in New York, where she worked with renowned futurist Faith Popcorn, and senior roles at global advertising agencies. Prior to Fiftyfive5, Michelle spearheaded the Deloitte Greenhouse innovation labs as National Leader.
Michelle delves into the cultural shifts that shape future consumer trends and the industry's response. Her expertise spans a wide array of sectors, including FMCG, retail, B2B, construction, healthcare, VMS, tourism, alcohol, financial services, insurance, entertainment and beauty. Her consulting prowess lies in developing, validating, and applying these trends to drive strategic growth, innovation, and culturally resonant brand and communication strategies.
Scott Mingl
Scott Mingl has been with Unilever for 15 years, beginning his career as a graduate in the Unilever Future Leaders Program in 2010. Throughout his tenure, Scott has held various roles across Australia and New Zealand, primarily within Marketing and Category. Before assuming leadership of the Ice Cream business in 2023, Scott played a pivotal role in expanding the ANZ deodorant business. He has also worked across homecare, beauty, and foods, giving him a breadth of experience in building brands and growing businesses, across a range of FMCG categories.
As the Ice Cream business prepares to separate from Unilever at the end of 2025, Scott is dedicated to establishing the greatest ice cream company in ANZ. He gets his energy from empowering his team to stretch their capabilities, innovate, and build rewarding careers. Scott likes to find the fun in every moment and is a firm believer that life tastes better with ice cream.
Lyn Radford
Lyn is commercial leader with a strong track record of developing and executing strategy, driving growth in highly competitive FMCG markets, and building high-performing teams. She has more than 25 years’ experience with small and large FMCG companies, including McCain, Chobani, Lion Dairy & Drinks, Dairy Farmers and MARS.
Lyn is a tenacious in building new business, translating insights into action, building a high performance and collaborative culture, securing customer loyalty and forging strong relationships both internally and externally.
James Guild
James Guild is the Commercial Lead for Australia at NIQ. With over 20 years of experience in the FMCG industry, with the last decade in Australia. James specialises in building long-term partnerships with Retail and FMCG organisations. He is a seasoned leader known for driving data-driven decisions and leveraging the power of human insight and technology. Prior to joining NIQ James has held key roles at Kantar Worldpanel, IRI and Salesforce. He is passionate about helping clients navigate the evolving Australian FMCG landscape and driving growth through insights, empowerment and innovative solutions.
The Next Frontier of Brand Innovation
Every organisation must continuously transform itself to capitalise on the changing world around it. When faced with the challenge of disrupting the world's largest marketing company (P&G), Dustin Garis integrated lessons from his global expeditions that spanned 40 countries, thousands of consumers, and thought leaders from the most innovative Fortune 500’s and entrepreneurial ventures. What he uncovered is a brand revolution that focuses on life-enriching experiences. Coined “LifeProfit,” this creates the single most desired brand engagements by consumers, and it’s the engine behind innovative work forces.
Key Takeaways:
Energising the organisation around a transformative vision for the future.
Case studies from the world’s most innovative brands at the forefront of the experience revolution.
Practical strategies for enabling your consumers and employees to “live your brand.”
A blueprint for accelerating your brand's innovation for business breakthroughs and social impact.
The meaning of life, or at least the importance of humanising your brand, from the inside out.
The Australian Economy
This presentation will explore key macroeconomic trends and their impact on consumer behaviour in Australia. Rabobank will present findings from their comprehensive study on major trends shaping the global and local food and agriculture supply chains through 2030. Key topics will include the effects of geopolitics, trade dynamics, and U.S. statecraft on food and agriculture in critical regions, providing valuable insights into the evolving market landscape.
Building Trust in th Age of Transparency
In a year of heightened attention on the FMCG sector, this presentation will delve into the latest research on brand trust and the rising drivers of consumer distrust. As social media facilitates direct communication and feedback, brands are increasingly under scrutiny for their authenticity and consistency. We will explore how trustworthy brands can effectively communicate with their audiences—openly, honestly, and without contradictions—while building and maintaining consumer loyalty in a landscape where transparency is paramount.
Aussie Battler 2.0: The shifting consumer in the face of geopolitical, economic, societal and technological change
In an era where wellness has become our new religion, information our constant companion, and time our most valuable currency, brands face unprecedented challenges in connecting with tomorrow's consumer. This keynote explores the intersection of health obsession, information overload, and the joy economy against the backdrop of rapidly shifting household structures. As traditional family units give way to diverse living arrangements, food and beverage brands must navigate these converging forces to remain relevant. Join us as we uncover actionable insights for brands seeking to matter in meaningful ways to tomorrow's discerning, dynamic, and digitally-empowered consumer.
Panel session: Navigating the Future of FMCG Consumer Trends and Brand Innovation
The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector is at a pivotal crossroads as consumer behaviours, needs, and expectations continue to evolve rapidly. Emerging trends such as the rise of conscious consumption, the growing influence of digital and e-commerce channels, and the increasing demand for personalised experiences. Brands need to stay agile to connect with the next generation of consumers and tap into new markets.
The panel session will explore the shifting dynamics of FMCG consumers and the opportunities for brands to drive growth and success. The discussion will also cover the role of sustainability, convenience, and innovation in shaping consumer choices.
The Rapid Growth of Retail Media and its Implications for Brand Strategy
This keynote will highlight the need for sales and marketing teams to collaborate effectively to navigate the evolving landscape and balance investment priorities amidst increasing demands from retailers.
Panel session: Retail Media and Brand Strategy
The panel will discuss the growth of retail media and its implications for brand strategy, highlighting the need for sales and marketing teams to collaborate effectively to navigate the evolving landscape and balance investment priorities.
Driving Sustainability through Circularity
Andrew will share his thoughts on improving sustainability through the lens of circularity. Exploring circular economy models that consider material resource, product design and supply chain re-design whilst deliver long-term growth and profitability.
Based in the UK, The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a non-profit organisation that creates evidence-based original research on the benefits of a circular economy, and how it can contribute to solving global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.
FMCG Sector Outlook
What does 2025 hold for FMCG in Australia? Craig will provide an in-depth analysis of the current and future outlook for the FMCG sector. In this session, Craig will explore emerging trends, market shifts, and the key drivers impacting the industry’s trajectory.
Panel Sessions: Leading with Purpose
In the fast-moving consumer goods industry, where trends shift rapidly and consumer demands are ever-evolving, leadership is not just about staying ahead of the competition—it’s about staying true to a purpose that resonates with both consumers and employees alike. Leading with purpose not only drives success in the marketplace but also builds long-term consumer loyalty and employee engagement.
This panel session Leading with Purpose will discuss how leaders navigate the challenges of a fast-paced market while maintaining a strong, values-driven approach to their leadership, and how purpose can be the guiding force behind decision-making, product innovation, and brand differentiation in an industry that is defined by its speed and scale
Leadership Transformed
We are leading in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, and chaotic world driven by the relentless march of new technologies, the radical disruption of traditional business models and increasing accountability to more powerful stakeholders. It’s simply never been more difficult to lead. In this session, Peter will provide the inspiration, insight, and strategies for you to lead with excellence in a world of chaos. Participants will leave with an understanding of how to achieve greater than they thought possible, faster than they thought possible and with much less effort than they imagined.
Integrating Sustainability at the Core: Navigating Challenges and Driving Change
David will share insights on the key focus areas and challenges that companies face on their sustainability journeys. David will explore best practices for integrating sustainability strategies within a business and across trading partners, while ensuring that shopper needs remain at the heart of decision-making. David will provide practical examples of how Reckitt has successfully embedded sustainability into their operations and offer valuable takeaways for companies looking to create meaningful, long-term change without compromising consumer experience.
Turning Data into Opportunity: How FMCG Brands can Leverage Technology for Growth in Supermarket Retail Partnerships
Brands navigating supermarket retail partnerships face a fundamental challenge in balancing data acquisition costs against the need for actionable category growth insights. Hear from Salesforce on how FMCG companies are embracing technology solutions to turn these challenges into opportunities.
