Growth & Resilience in the Food & Drink Sector

CONNECT+

Unlock the Future of Business Today

Food and Drink Sector

Productivity Improvement Programme

Join us for the next CONNECT+ event, bringing together food & drink businesses, industry experts and supporting organisations to explore how your business can stay resilient, sustainable, and future-ready. Register and secure your place.

For businesses located, or with a site, in Cheshire East.

Register your interest

1st July 2025 | 12:00 – 15:15 | Beartown Brewery, Congleton, CW12 1QN

What you'll learn:

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Climate Change and Your Business

Discover the real-world impact of climate change on ingredients, supply chains, production, staffing, and customer relationships—and how to build climate resilience into your operations

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Understanding Accreditation

A practical, non-technical guide to how

accreditation can add commercial value, improve business processes, and unlock new growth opportunities.

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Tech & Innovation for Growth

Explore cutting-edge technologies and trends (AI, automation, digitalisation)

transforming productivity and

sustainability in the Food and Drink

sector

Unlock the future of business today and boost growth and resilience.

Insights

Gain insights into building a more resilient food & drink business

Network

Network with like-minded business leaders and industry experts

Practical

Learn practical steps to improve operations and open new markets

Funding

Discover free and funded support to help your business grow.

Meet our Speakers

Andrew Martin

The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC)

Head of Food, Drink & Agri-Tech at The AMRC Cymru, Andrew has over 20 years’ experience supporting the sector through technology and innovation. He has led transformative programmes for major UK producers and sits at the forefront of food industry advancement.

John Taylerson

BIC Innovation

An industry expert with hands-on experience launching products to national retailers, advising DEFRA, and helping F&D businesses navigate accreditation and growth. John brings a common-sense, real-world approach to business development and food safety.

Our Event Host and Tour Opportunity

Beartown Brewery

A HARDWORKING NORTHERN BREWERY

Have you ever wanted to peek behind the curtain at Beartown Brewery? Well now you can! We’re offering an optional guided tour of our new brewery following the CONNECT+ event.

The perfect way to learn more about Beartown including our history, passion and what the future holds for the brewery. The tour is delivered by a senior member of the brew team.

This event is brought to you as part of Cheshire East’s Productivity Improvement Programme (PIP), which provides resources and expertise to boost productivity and foster sustainable growth for local businesses. The PIP is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Cheshire East Council and delivered by The AMRC and BIC Innovation

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