Investment Summit 2025: Powering Productivity

The FDF Investment Summit brought together food and drink business leaders, government, technology and finance experts, to discuss future investment, productivity and growth for the UK’s largest manufacturing sector. 

Opening the Summit, Karen Betts – Chief Executive for the Food and Drink Federation said: 

“So why are we here?  Because we’re all part of the UK’s hard-working food and drink manufacturing industry, at the heart of the everyday economy, ensuring that everyone, everywhere has a wide range of delicious, nutritious and affordable food and drink. And because there’s a growth opportunity that our industry wants to seize.  The opportunity is set out in FDF’s Ambition for Growth, a report we’ve published today.   

Our ambition, which aligns with the government’s ambition for economic growth, is – over the next ten years – to see a doubling of annual investment in our sector.  As a result: 

• our sector’s GVA will rise by more than a third to 50bn pounds 

• our exports will grow by more than a third to 35bn pounds 

• the UK will cement its place as a global hub for R&D and for developing healthier food and drink, supported by the UK’s strong science and academic base, and 

• we’ll achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions across the food and drink supply chain, including through investment in the circular economy. 

This ambition is achievable, and it’s in the sights of the manufacturers here today.  But we won’t get there alone.  To do that, we need a renewed partnership with government – that recognises the centrality of the food and drink industry to society and the economy, and the jobs we support everywhere across the country.  We believe our ambition should form the basis of a new government and industry partnership for growth in our sector, including as part of the government’s Food Strategy.” 

Read the full speech 

In her keynote speech, Secretary of State for the Environment, Emma Reynolds, said:  

“It’s a pleasure to be here at the FDF Investment Summit. And the food and drink sector is at the heart of Britain’s economy, and partnership between government and industry has never been more important...” 

“The food and drink industry is one of my top priorities. I’m determined to champion the sector across government and see it go from strength to strength. 

Together, I think we can create the right conditions for investment that drive a dynamic and innovative future for advanced food and drink manufacturing in the UK. I’ve seen your document today which sets out bold ambitions for investment and growth, and these align with the Government’s number one mission, which is to grow the economy. Sure, you might have heard that somewhere before. 

We want to work with you to unlock your sector’s potential. You need clarity and you need stability. And today I want to set out how we will help to cut your business costs and the complexity of regulation.” 

Read the Secretary of State's keynote speech 

Minister for Consumer Goods, Kate Dearden, said:   

“As the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, our food and drink industry is key to economic growth. Not only does it support key facilities and supply chains, but also hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country. .. Through our Trade Strategy we are removing barriers and creating exciting new export opportunities for the sector, helping to boost productivity, investment and jobs as part of our Plan for Change."