Shaping the Future of Food and Farming: MDS Annual Conference 2026
On 15th June, Trainees, Members, alumni and industry partners gathered at Eastwood Hall for the MDS Annual Conference 2026.
Centred around the theme The Future of Food and Farming, the event welcomed over 100 current Trainees, 24 future Trainees preparing to join the programme, and 28 Member businesses and industry partners exhibiting throughout the day.
As MDS celebrates its 40th anniversary year, the conference was an opportunity to bring together emerging talent and experienced industry professionals to discuss the challenges, opportunities and innovations shaping the sector.
The day began with Lori Edwards, Head of IT & Digital – Europe at Syngenta, who explored how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of agriculture. Lori explained why AI presents unique opportunities and challenges for the sector, highlighted where it is already making an impact and discussed the skills and mindsets needed to make the most of emerging technologies. She encouraged attendees to focus on solving real-world problems and challenged them to think about how they can harness AI’s potential in their own careers.
Next up was MDS alum Justin Creasy, Technical Services Director at It’s Fresh!, who shared insights into the role of ethylene throughout the plant and produce life cycle. Justin explained how managing ethylene effectively can improve produce quality, reduce food waste and enhance the consumer eating experience. He also introduced It’s Fresh!’s RYPEN technology and spoke about the company’s commitment to helping businesses “Pack smart. Protect more. Waste less.”
The final speaker of the day was David Buxcey, Sales Director at Angus Soft Fruits. David explored how value is created in modern food businesses, discussing everything from planning and commercial decision-making to the impact of climate and weather on fresh produce production. He also highlighted the skills needed to succeed in commercial roles and reflected on Angus Soft Fruits’ long-standing relationship with MDS, having welcomed a number of former Trainees into the business over the years.
After lunch, it was time for the MDS Awards, celebrating the achievements of Trainees and Members who have made an outstanding contribution to the programme and wider industry. The awards provided an opportunity to recognise individual successes and reflect on the impact MDS has had over the past 40 years.
Following the awards, Trainees had the chance to network with our Member exhibitors, who shared insights into their businesses and the opportunities available across the food and farming industry. The networking session remains one of the most popular parts of the conference, giving Trainees the chance to make new connections and learn more about the breadth of careers available within the sector.
A huge thank you to our speakers, exhibitors and everyone who attended. The discussions throughout the day highlighted the innovation, resilience and ambition that continues to drive the food and farming industry forward, and we look forward to seeing what the next generation of leaders will achieve.