Organic trade conference 2026: Green light for growth
Join Soil Association Certification for our annual organic trade conference on 15 October 2026 at the Barbican Centre, London
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Thursday 15 October
From £49.80 (inc. VAT)
The Barbican Centre, Silk St, London, EC2Y 8DS
Conference
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Now’s the time to turn momentum into market growth
Organic is entering a new era of opportunity. The UK market has doubled over the past decade, now worth £3.9 billion, and in 2025 organic food and drink unit growth outperformed non‑organic by 400% in supermarkets. Consumer interest continues to rise, with 83% of households buying organic, motivated by health, reduced pesticide use and animal welfare. Meanwhile retailers are giving organic more space and strategic attention.
Policy momentum is accelerating too. Scotland launched the UK’s first funded Organic Action Plan earlier this year, and Defra has confirmed that England’s plan is imminent. Businesses, governments and consumers are increasingly recognising organic as a “Swiss army knife” solution to the climate, nature and health crises.
Join Soil Association Certification’s organic trade conference as we bring together 200+ leaders from across the organic sector to explore how we collectively turn this momentum into sustained growth. We’ll share the latest consumer insights, policy developments, retail perspectives and international learnings, and discuss how we can strengthen demand, expand availability and support resilient domestic supply.
This is the key annual gathering for brands, retailers and producers shaping the future of organic.
A nominal ticket fee applies to support running costs and ensure strong attendance. Tickets sold out last year – book early to secure your place.
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On the day
Insightful talks and panels
Explore the big issues driving the sector. Watch this space for lots of exciting speaker announcements.
Interactive breakout sessions
You asked and we listened so brand new this year, join interactive and actionable breakout sessions on the topics ranging from PR and brand collaborations, nailing your buyer pitch, and export opportunities. Share your perspective, learn from others, and take your own organic action plan away from the day.
Exclusive market data from NielsenIQ
Access the latest UK organic performance figures, plus the meta‑trends influencing consumer behaviour in 2026 and beyond.
Lunch and post-event drinks
Connect with fellow delegates, speakers and the Soil Association Certification's organic experts. Lunch overlooks the spectacular Barbican conservatory. Carry on the conversation at the Barbican’s Martini Bar.
Speakers
Susan Thomas
Commercial sustainability consultant, Snowstorm Consulting
Susan helps food businesses build and deliver commercially viable sustainability strategies. She works with retailers and their suppliers, often alongside their NGO, trade body or professional services partners, leveraging her sales background to drive sustainability into core commercial practice. Susan was formerly the Senior Director of Sustainability at Asda, and a Senior Director on the PepsiCo UK sales leadership team.
Niamh Noone
Head of Marketing, Soil Association Certification
Over the past eight years Niamh has supported organic sector growth by leading dynamic marketing campaigns like Organic September, fostering sector collaboration and developing messaging around the benefits of organic food and farming. Working closely with the Soil Association charity, Niamh has also helped develop impactful statements based on peer‑reviewed research, and navigated the complex regulatory space around making environmental and health claims about organic.
Simon Hinks
Product Director, Ocado Retail
With a lifelong passion for food – from studying Food Technology at university to working with farming and food operations across the globe – Simon has built a career around developing robust, efficient, and sustainable food supply chains. At Ocado, Simon has been part of a team that has seen organic overtrade significantly relative to the size of the business, reflecting how online retail can play an outsized role in bringing organic to a wider audience.
Alex Cullen
Commercial and Marketing Director, Soil Association Certification
Alex leads the commercial and marketing functions at Soil Association Certification, supporting organic farmers, growers and brands, making the case for organic, and engaging the public with the benefits the sector has to offer. Alex has a wealth of marketing and behaviour change experience across leading brands and causes in Fast‑Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), retail and the NHS.
Conor O'Sullivan
UK Market Manager, Bord Bia (Irish Food Board)
Responsible for supporting the growth of Irish food and drink in the UK, Conor works closely with customers and industry stakeholders across the UK food system to strengthen market opportunities for Irish suppliers. A key focus of his work is Origin Green, Ireland's national food and drink sustainability programme. Origin Green brings together farmers, industry and government to drive measurable sustainability improvements while supporting the sector's long term resilience and competitiveness.
Helen Browning OBE
Chief Executive of Soil Association, Soil Association Certification Director and Soil Association Exchange Director
Helen is Chief Executive of Soil Association, and farms with her daughter under the Helen Browning’s Organic brand. She has worked in food and farming policy, including the Government’s Policy Commission on the Future of Farming, the England Animal Health and Welfare Implementation Group and the Food Ethics Council. She is a trustee of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission and the National Trust. She has an OBE for services to organic farming.
Liz Wlliams
Freelance PR, brand communications and social media consultant
After working at several PR agencies on a range of clients including Motorola, Umbro and the Winter Olympics, Liz moved in‑house to M&S where she was Head of Food, Drink, PR and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for 11 years. She now supports a range of clients to develop their business through effective communications and generating stand‑out press coverage across national and specialist titles. Liz's experience across food, drink, hospitality, lifestyle and CSR spans 20 years.
