Angus Soft Fruits was delighted to welcome colleagues, growers, partners and industry experts to its Annual Conference 2025, a day dedicated to collaboration, learning and looking ahead to the future of the berry sector. Built around the theme Planning our Success – Delivering Sustainable Growth through Innovation, the event brought together expertise from across the supply chain to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry.
Expertly chaired by Claire Taylor, the conference featured a diverse and engaging programme designed to encourage open discussion and fresh thinking. Sessions explored the role of insight in shaping the global berry category, evolving shopper behaviour and how data can be turned into practical action to support long-term growth. Contributions from Cindy van Rijswick (Rabobank), Lesley Ann Gray (Worldpanel by Numerator) and Jenna Martin, Head of Category & Insights at Angus Soft Fruits, provided valuable perspectives on navigating a rapidly changing retail landscape.
The programme also looked to the future of retail and brand building within fresh produce. Ged Futter (The Retail Mind) and Theresa Richards (20 Degrees) shared insights on how retailers and brands can adapt and thrive, while Jill Witheyman from Angus Soft Fruits showcased the evolution of Good Natured Berries and the opportunity to build stronger consumer connections within the category.
Innovation remained a central theme throughout the day. Sessions on varietal development and smart farming highlighted advances in breeding, automation and emerging technologies. Speakers including Marina Gómez-Caro González (Fresh Forward), Hans Liekens (Planasa) and Lucy Wilkins (Angus Soft Fruits) shared developments in varietal innovation, while Siddharth Jadhav (Polybee), Sandro Rabbiosi (Ant Robotics) and Tom Porter (Agri Audits) explored how technology and automation are shaping the future of farming.
A dedicated grower panel provided a grounded and practical perspective, with contributions from Jamie Arnot (Mains of Errol), Jan van Genderen (Royal Berry) and Renger Mostert. Their reflections highlighted both the realities of berry production and the opportunities that collaboration and innovation continue to unlock.
The day concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating the achievements of growers and colleagues, followed by an evening of celebration that brought everyone together. Angus Soft Fruits would like to thank all speakers, sponsors and delegates for contributing to a highly engaging and successful event, and for their continued commitment to driving sustainable growth and innovation across the berry industry.
