This time last week, the Pro-Force team attended the British Tomato Conference in Warwickshire, a vibrant gathering of industry leaders and innovators from seed houses to growers to retailers and a wide range of business service suppliers. This year’s conference focused on the theme of "Balancing Business and Environmental Sustainability" and also celebrated the impressive continued growth in the tomato industry, a testament to the resilience and innovation of British growers and all those that support the sector.
As proud supporters of the British tomato industry and as Pro-Force already partner with the majority of top growers and suppliers in the UK, it was only fitting for us to be part of it. The conference provided a great opportunity to catch up with familiar faces, forge new connections and showcase our dedication to the industry's future and commitment to helping meet the increasing demand for labour.
(Pictured: Andy Simpson - Director, Emma Pantry - Operations Director, Dave Faragher - Sales Director)
The day commenced with a warm welcome from Simon Conway, Chair of the British Tomato Growers’ Association, setting an inviting tone for the discussions ahead. The morning sessions were particularly enlightening, featuring presentations from the main sponsor, Martijn Eggink of Rijk Zwaan with insight into upcoming innovation and critical topics such as the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) and market sustainability, expertly presented by Adrian Fox of Fera Science Ltd and Laura Fry from Kantar. A standout moment was the British Tomato Fortnight Campaign 2024 presentation by Abigail Lawson from Jack & Grace Communications. Attendees were then able to network and explore the diverse trade stands, which allowed us to reconnect with friends and build new relationships within the industry.
(Pictured: Simon Conway - Chair of the British Tomato Growers’ Association)
(Pictured: Gemma Bates - Head of Marketing, Dave Faragher - Sales Director)
Mid-morning sessions continued the momentum with Lee Hyde from Save Money Cut Carbon and Jonathan Scurlock of NFU discussing the urgent need for decarbonisation and effective energy management in protected horticulture. Jeremy Kerswell from Plumpton College highlighted the critical importance of investing in the future workforce, a topic that resonates deeply with the sustainability of our industry. After a delicious buffet lunch, the afternoon sessions resumed with Clare Mike from LEAF discussing sustainability through LEAF standards, followed by Martin Emmett from the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board, who outlined a sustainable future for horticulture. Andy Hipwell from HSBC shared valuable insights on financial support for sustainable farming practices, further enriching our understanding of the challenges ahead.
The conference concluded with a lively drinks reception and a memorable conference dinner, where the highlight was an inspiring speech by Professor David Hughes. Pro-Force was proud to sponsor the After Dinner Speaker at this fantastic event.
(Pictured: Professor David Hughes)
The British Tomato Conference 2024 not only served as a platform for knowledge exchange but also reinforced the strength of the British farming community and the importance of building solid industry ties. Thank you to Simon, Nathalie and the whole team behind putting the event together, bringing together best in industry expertise, including every part of the supply chain from seed to consumer, to celebrate British tomatoes.
#BritishTomatoConference #Sustainability #ProForce #Horticulture #BritishTomatoes #BritishFarming #Recruitment #SeasonalWorkers
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