The biennial convention of UK Flour Millers, the trade association, was held in Belfast in early June, returning to the city for the first time since 1894.
More than 70 delegates joined for the conference element of the convention, based at the historic Merchant Hotel in central Belfast. They heard about topics ranging from global food security electric-powered trucks for bulk material transport, grain market developments to emerging consumer trends, and much more beyond.
The conference drew heavily on expert speakers based in Northern Ireland: professor Nigel Scollan, Director of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University; David Crozier CBE, Director of Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC); Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Manufacturing Northern Ireland; and BBC Norther Ireland Economics & business Editor, John Campbell. They contributed alongside topic experts Dave Rose, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of electric truck pioneers, Voltloader, Nathan Ward from Kantar; and Pablo Figueroa of Black Fryers.
Exhibitors at the conference were: BoMill, Buhler, Omas Industries, ProGnosis Biotech, Satake and Swisca.
The convention started with a local produce-focused Welcome Reception supported by Omas Industries and concluded with a Gala Dinner, sponsored by Forth Ports. Some 80 people joined the dinner, hosted at historic Hillsborough Castle, where the evening included an address from Chairman of Whitworths Holdings Ltd, Martin George.
“We delivered a strong performance for members, drawing on the best of local expertise for the conference speakers and hosting of the Gala Dinner at Hillsborough Castle, a one-of-a-kind venue, steeped in history,” commented UK Flour Millers’ Chief Executive Officer, Alistair Gale. “We’re grateful to the milling industry suppliers and supply chain for backing the event and know from feedback that members drew a lot from the programme.”
Just ahead of the convention, UK Flour Millers held its annual general meeting, where Mike Peters of Whitworth Bros Ltd was elected President, succeeding Gary Sharkey of Hovis, who had completed his two-year term.