Amie Burke is Learning Engagement Lead at IGD. Her role includes connecting businesses to IGDs learning proposition in order to create a future fit workforce. As well as running IGD’s hugely successful reverse mentoring programme, that support senior leaders in the food and drink industry to create inclusive workplaces. Amie has more than 14 years’ experience in the agriculture sector, with roles ranging from banking to business improvement across the whole supply chain. Prior to IGD, Amie worked for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), where she focused on people sustainability in UK farming. Amie is a passionate LGBTQ+ member and was recently named in The Grocer’s Power List as a top 10 activist making grocery a better industry for the LGBTQ+ community.

Amy Searle is a senior communications leader with over 16 years' experience across agency, in-house and trade body roles, giving her a unique perspective across both supplier and operator environments. With a background spanning PR, marketing and sales, Amy is passionate about driving commercial results for clients, bringing a strategic lens and deep appreciation for the nuances of retail and out-of-home markets.

Across her career, Amy has delivered multiple award-winning campaigns recognised across the UK and EMEA, working with leading FMCG and drinks brands including PepsiCo, Organix, Diageo, Birds Eye, Ferrero, Haleon, Premier Foods, Suntory, Hovis and Heineken UK.

Beyond her commercial achievements, Amy is a passionate advocate for women in business and a champion of the retail and hospitality sectors. She is a proud member of G100 Media Arts & Communication and regularly contributes to the industry as a judge for the Retail Industry Awards and Bar Magazine Awards.

Chris has over 15 years of experience representing the convenience sector, having joined ACS in October 2009. As Communications Director, Chris is responsible for all ACS external and internal communications, media relations, a wide-ranging research portfolio which includes the industry leading Local Shop Report, and ACS' Assured Advice partnership with Surrey and Buckinghamshire Trading Standards.

Chris is an official spokesperson for ACS, appearing frequently in print, on national television and radio, to make the case for local shops to external audiences.

Dave Webb has been at The Fed for nearly five years, during that time he has supported independent retails to make money, save money and make business easier for them. Dave currently heads up the field team, who are responsible for supporting our existing members and recruiting new members into The Fed.

I have 40 years’ experience specialising in retail & business management. Educated to

master’s level, and an avid supporter of continuous professional development. I have

acquired sound commercial skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all

levels.

Career to date includes.

25 years operational & area management, including being an independent retail

proprietor running multi sites across N. Ireland.

10 years organizational & business development consultancy across Ireland and

Europe including 3 years as CEO.

5 years business support in a retail membership organization.

University of Ulster business & management school lecturer on a part time basis.

Accomplishments

Multi award winning retailer across UK & Ireland resulting in the UK Retailer of the Year

I am a risk taker who knows how to enjoy life. I learn, grow, evolve, and never give up.

James was ACS Chief Executive between November 2006 and February 2026. He led ACS on political and policy representation, drove a unique research programme that informs ACS’ policy work, launched an industry-leading assured advice scheme in partnership with Surrey County Council, and created a new and unique events programme. James has been a member of ministerial advisory groups including the National Retail Crime Steering Group and the Retail Sector Council. He also sat on the boards of Community Alcohol Partnerships, the Proof of Age Standards Scheme and the London Food Board, and was a sector leader representative to the High Streets Task Force.

Jerry Marwood has enjoyed a lifetime career in Retail, Wholesale and Foodservice including notable roles such as Managing Director of SPAR UK (2003-13) Chair of the ACS (2007-09) latterly Group CEO of AF Blakemore. Jerry launched a portfolio career in 2023 which includes managing his advisory business www.marwoodpartners.com, serving as a NED for Taste of The West www.tasteofthewest.co.uk and field marketing experts eXPD8 www.eXPD8.co.uk as well as the chair of the charity Designability www.designability.org.uk

Josh Holmes is Head of Research at Retail Economics, where he oversees thought leadership and strategic insight for the retail industry. He leads a team of analysts delivering data-driven research on consumer behaviour and the macro trends shaping the retail landscape.

Prior to joining Retail Economics, Josh held research roles across financial services and commercial real estate, advising clients and internal stakeholders on consumer trends, forecasting, and retail performance.

Josh is a regular media commentator on the retail industry and has been recognised as a LinkedIn Top Voice and a 2026 Top Retail Expert by RETHINK Retail.

I am the founder of Wholesale Solutions Consulting Co. I specialise in helping service providers provide solutions within the wholesale and retail market. With over 20 years of senior experience across FMCG wholesale and retail, I bring a genuine 360° commercial perspective.

I have now retired after a career spanning five decades in retail. Starting as a Saturday boy in my local Asda in the early 70's I have held several store manager roles with some of the (sadly) consigned to the past brands.

I moved into head office roles specialising food safety and health and safety, then into finance auditing.

Most recently I had my own business supporting small businesses in the food retail and hospitality sectors.

With 30 years of experience working in the trade media and for both retail and wholesale trade industry bodies, Mike is passionate about the independent retail sector and the supply chain that it relies on to deliver the nation’s favourite brands into the hands of shoppers. Mike has worked with brands both large and small, helping them to engage with retailers and wholesalers, promoting the qualities that make these brands a must-stock and sharing supplier expertise that retailers and wholesalers can use to develop their businesses. Mike has an in-depth knowledge of the sector which helps him to understand the challenges that suppliers, retailers and wholesalers face, as well as spotting opportunities that adds value to their businesses and promotes sale growth.

Outside work, Mike is a proud Scotsman, an even prouder father of 2, and a sports enthusiast, although these days that is more cheering on from the sidelines rather than taking part.

Moiz Vas comes from an extensive family background in independent retailing and brings experience across convenience, roadside retail, food to go and retail technology through operating multi-site retail and hospitality businesses, as well as working closely with retailers, suppliers and industry stakeholders across the sector.

Alongside founding Retail’s Best and serving on the ACS Independent Retail Board, he also spends time supporting and advising a wide range of retail groups and supplier partners and is recognised for bringing people together to encourage collaboration, share ideas and support innovation across the industry.

38 years in wholesale & retail, most notably CEO of a £1.6b company, Nisa retail, which was owned by its retailer members. My last Executive role was MD of a wholesale buying group. I'm now an advisor to various businesses in retail, wholesale, technology and brands. I'm also proud to have served as a Charity Trustee in various roles. I was Trustee for 6 years (the maximum allowed) of MAG, a global humanitarian charity based in Manchester. MAG clears landmines and the legacy of conflict and saves lives. I've led over £1.7m fundraising in that time through food industry bike rides in Southeast Asia, Bosnia & Africa.

Nick is Mintel’s expert on all things retail, leading strategic thinking across global retail developments and shopper behaviour. For over a decade, Nick has helped clients understand shopper needs and unlock opportunities and works closely with Mintel’s global analyst teams to shape our research.

Stephanie Rice is a leading expert in the UK convenience retail sector, with over 35 years’ experience in marketing, brand strategy, and senior leadership across symbol groups, wholesale, and independent retail.

A former Marketing Director at Budgens and Musgrave Budgens Londis, she founded Rice Marketing in 2007, helping retailers and wholesalers demonstrate that healthier food can drive both profit and community impact. She has delivered major initiatives including Change4Life and Well London to improve access to, and affordability of, healthier options in convenience stores.

In recent years, Stephanie has applied her expertise to shaping and delivering impactful good food strategies, working closely with central government, local authorities, and charities. Her work champions healthier, more accessible food provision and has culminated in the nationwide launch of the Good Food Retail network in 2025, accelerating this movement across the sector.

Stephanie is a Non-Executive Director at Newtrade Media, Food Industry Advisor at Nesta, and a regular speaker and awards judge.

Vicki has spent over 15 years working in comms for food and drink brands, now heading up Cirkle's retail trade and hospitality division, overseeing clients such as Carlsberg Britvic, PepsiCo and Rollover. Cirkle is a full-service PR agency which works to deliver comms campaigns with commercial impact for its clients, bringing its proposition 'Seen it, Shared it, Sold it Out' to life across channels. As a longtime supporter of the Retail Industry Awards, Vicki is proud to continue her role as a judge. Celebrating entrepreneurs across the independent convenience channel is close to Vicki's heart - she was instrumental in the creation, set up and leads the agency's Retailer Inner Cirkle initiative. This group of store owners from across the country was built to encourage stronger relationships between stores and suppliers, adding value and shining a spotlight on the hard work, dedication and drive within the convenience channel.