Future Plate and Burnt Chef Project founders sign up as HRC ambassadors

Leading hospitality industry figures have become ambassadors for the HRC trade show, part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week 2025.

The event, which takes place at London’s ExCeL on 17-19 March 2025, will see Julian George, founder of the Future Plate African and Caribbean chef collective; Kris Hall, founder of industry mental health charity the Burnt Chef Project; and Robert Richardson, CEO, Institute of Hospitality, among the ambassadorial line-up.

They will play a pivotal role in shaping the major sector gathering, ensuring that Food, Drink & Hospitality Week delivers insights and innovation for the communities it serves. 

Portfolio director Philippa Christer said: “We are thrilled to have such an esteemed group of ambassadors on board for Food, Drink & Hospitality Week 2025. Their expertise and commitment to their sectors will be crucial in making the event a success, and we look forward to their contributions in driving the conversation forward on the future of food, drink, and hospitality.”

HRC will be co-located with IFE Manufacturing, IFE, The Pub Show and International Salon Culinaire across the event week.

Ambassadors will contribute to shaping the content of their respective shows, speaking at key sessions, and engaging with professionals across the sector to address emerging trends, challenges and opportunities. Their years of experience should help to ensure Food, Drink & Hospitality Week 2025 will reflect the latest developments and innovations across food, drink and hospitality.

Food, Drink & Hospitality Week 2025 ambassadors

HRC

• Kris Hall, founder, the Burnt Chef Project 
• Robert Richardson, CEO, Institute of Hospitality 
• Kirstin Hatherley-Bramwell, chair, ceda 
• Katie Deem, director, 4C Associates 
• Julian George, founder, Future Plate
• Stanislava Blagoeva, co-founder, European Pizza & Pasta Show 

The Pub Show 

• Steve Alton, CEO, British Institute of Innkeeping 
• Emma McClarkin, CEO, British Beer and Pub Association 

IFE

• Andy Richardson, chair, Food & Drink Council 
• Stefano Cuomo, CEO, Macknade Fine Foods 
• James Bielby, CEO, Federation of Wholesale Distributors
• Freya O’Mara, trading manager – pantry and speciality foods, Ocado Retail

IFE Manufacturing 

• Kerri Fidler, head of portfolio, Food for Later, Greencore 
• Mex Ibrahim, co-founder, Women in Food Industry 
• Karen Green, consultant, Food Industry Expert 
• Richard Werran, global director retail, consumer and food, BSI 
• Ton Knipscheer, executive director, European Co-Packers Association 

HRC recently signed partnerships with the Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA) and catering equipment distributor trade body, ceda, aimed at enabling the event continuing to showcase the latest innovations in equipment, services and technology for hospitality professionals.