2025 CITY FOOD & DRINK LECTURE TO EXPLORE ‘PREPARING TO FARM FOR 2040, WITH SUCCESS’

2025 City Food & Drink Lecture to explore ‘Preparing to Farm for 2040, with Success’.  As this year’s highly anticipated City Food & Drink Lecture approaches, keynote speaker and Chairman of G’s Group, John Shropshire OBE, has announced that he will present his thoughts on the importance of preparing to farm for 2040, with success. 

Key topics set to be covered by John in his lecture include:

• A vision for UK food production
• Succession and family farming
• Risk and entrepreneurship
• A common-sense approach to sustainability
• Insights from the Independent Labour Review and image of the industry

John Shropshire, a Newcastle University graduate with a BSc Hons in Agriculture, entered the family farming and marketing business in 1976. He has led G’s to become one of Europe’s leading fresh produce companies, specialising in high-quality salads, vegetables, and value-added products across the UK, Spain, Central Europe, Senegal, and the USA. Today, the company generates an annual turnover of £720 million, supplies over 20 million packs of produce weekly, and employs approximately 9,500 people worldwide.

Following his lecture, John will join the expert panel for an interactive question-and-answer session. This year’s panel consists of:

• Charlotte Smith – Panel Chair, Presenter on BBC1’s Countryfile and BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today
• Henry Dimbleby – Co-founder of Bramble Partners, Leon, Chefs in Schools and The Sustainable Restaurant Association. Author of the National Food Strategy. 
• Sarah Bradbury – CEO of The Institute of Grocery Distribution
• Jack Bobo – Executive Director Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies at University of California Los Angeles

John Shropshire commented:

“I’m eager to be taking part in a meaningful discussion with the panel, engaging in thought-provoking debate on how we can successfully farm for 2040. As we navigate the future of UK agriculture, we must address key challenges, from sustainability and innovation, to labour and skills development, to resilience, and long-term profitability, whilst ensuring UK food security.”

This expert panel brings together leaders in food, farming, and sustainability for a dynamic discussion. Journalist Charlotte Smith (BBC’s Countryfile, Farming Today) brings deep expertise in rural affairs. Sarah Bradbury, former Group Quality Director at Tesco, offers 25+ years in retail, sustainability, and supply chains. Jack Bobo, Director of the University of Nottingham’s Food Systems Institute, is a renowned expert in sustainable food systems and policy. Henry Dimbleby, Leon co-founder and government advisor, provides invaluable insights into health, sustainability, and systemic change.

Now in its 24th year at London’s Guildhall, the City Food & Drink Lecture expects around 700 livery and VIP guests to attend the event on March 11th, alongside leading industry experts to discuss the prevalent issue of the critical need to future-proof agriculture, ensuring resilience, sustainability and profitability in an evolving global landscape.