As a leader in the Australian and New Zealand confectionery industry, Andrew will be our headline keynote presenter at ConTech2024. Not your average business leader, Andrew Leakey, General Manager of Mars Wrigley Australia started his career as an engineer and now leads one of the world’s largest privately owned snacks and treats companies. Andrew joined the Mars business over 16 years ago as Marketing Director of the Wrigley Pacific Region. He has over 40 years’ experience in fast moving consumer goods and the healthcare sectors, including periods with Arnotts and GlaxoSmithKline. Andrew was promoted to General Manager Wrigley Pacific Region in mid-2011. After four years in this role Andrew was asked to lead the start-up of the Mars chocolate business in India and moved to Delhi 2016.
Andrew will give his independent perspective on the industry, taking on board the headwinds and will consider future opportunities.
After a career in the UK across international fresh food manufacturing and within Coles Supermarkets, Australia heading the private label team, Prof Consulting Group was founded by Mark Field in 2019. Mark’s consultancy spans experience in FMCG, QSR, Food Service, consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing and retailing. Prof is a member of the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA), Food and Drink Federation (UK) and supports several key trade organisations, such as Hort Innovation and MLA. Last year Prof consultancy established a trading business in the UK, marking a significant expansion from its business headquarters in Melbourne.
Confectionery is one of the most innovative areas of grocery retail with industry leading capability and consumer driven freedom to combine flavours with a traditional confectionery sensory experience, with the way in which consumers look at food rapidly changing we look at how this could support the growth of the confectionery category into 2050.
Russel has over thirty years’ experience in the food and beverage industry in various senior commercial and research positions. He has an inherent ability to connect stakeholders, understands how to manage the innovation process and the steps required to commercialise innovative ideas. Russel is Director and Founder of Food Innovation Partners, providing business, innovation and commercialisation services to the food industry and research organisations. Prior to starting Food Innovation Partners, Russel was General Manager – Innovation with the National Food Industry Strategy. He has also worked for the CSIRO in food research. Russel currently has numerous advisory and board positions spanning the farming industry to robotics, health and innovation.
Russel’s presentation will cover global challenges in sustainably feeding 9 billion people in 2050 and the impact it will have on our natural resources and what is happening in the confectionery industry to reduce or utilise waste streams.
In Rita Arrigo’s role as Strategic Engagement Manager at the CSIRO National AI Centre, she is focused on leading the AI ecosystem strategy to foster engagement and collaboration to grow a responsible AI industry locally and lift Australia’s global AI adoption. Rita is a renowned digital strategist with a reputation for her ability to lead digital and AI transformation projects. Previously, Rita was Deputy Director for the Centre of Industrial AI Research and Innovation (CIAIRI) and Chief Digital Advisor at Microsoft. She was appointed an AI Ambassador and continues to advocate for ways that AI and XR can reinvent experiences in work and daily life.
Rita’s address will highlight the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing confectionery manufacturing – this presentation will be all things AI, innovation and digital.
Paul Miszalski is the Director of the Food and Grocery Code Review Secretariat at the Commonwealth Treasury. The Secretariat is supporting Dr Emerson, the Food and Grocery Code reviewer, in his review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct. Paul has 20 years of experience across the Australian Government in legal, regulatory, and policy roles. He has a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University and a Master of Laws from Monash University.
Paul’s presentation will inform the audience about the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct and its background in the context of other Government initiatives in the food and grocery industry. Paul will share insights as to what Dr Emerson has been hearing including key considerations proposed in the Interim Report of the Review.
Following a career in telecommunications and IT, Megan joined the AANA in 2019 as Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs to lead the advertising industry’s standards development work and government engagement. Since that time, Megan has overseen four advertising code reviews and launched the AANA’s Food & Beverages Advertising Code, which represents one of the world’s strictest self-regulatory schemes for advertising, including confectionery. Megan holds an Honours degree in law from QUT and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Megan’s presentation will provide attendees with insights into the Department of Health and Aged Care’s consultation into limiting unhealthy food marketing to children. She will also share global examples of advertising restrictions and their impact and the role of the confectionery industry in responsible advertising.
Pete Ceglinski’s first career was as an Industrial Designer, specialising in plastic injection moulded products (the irony). His second career was as a high-performance boat builder for Americas Cup yacht racing teams, which spanned 12 years working and living worldwide before starting Seabin in Spain in 2016. Pete has won many international awards and accolades, including top 5 of 100 Australian Innovators 2022, Time Magazine’s top 50 inventions, TED X speaker, multiple Australian of the year honours and various global awards for design, entrepreneurship and innovation. Professional and personal development, being a present father, business for good, technology and innovation makes Pete thrive. Surfing, family, design, photography, videography and being in nature keeps Pete sane.
Pete Ceglinski will share his entrepreneurial Seabin story at ConTech, focusing on the innovative technology and how it contributes to mitigating marine waste globally. He will speak to the power of Seabin impact data and turning off the tap to plastic pollution.
Rachel is the Technical Sales Manager for AAK Australia, based in Melbourne. Rachel has a passion for all things food which has been amplified throughout her studies as a food scientist at Deakin University prior to moving into a clinical nutrition role before transitioning into the flavour industry and now finding herself in the world of fats and oils.
Rachel has been fortunate to work alongside her colleagues in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Sweden and Denmark on various confectionery projects to expose her to all corners of confectionery worldwide. Rachel is curious about all things confectionery, whether that is problem solving an issue in production, assisting with a new product development project or simply discussing the confectionery environment.
Lulu Allorde Pedrajeta is the Senior Customer Innovation Manager with AAK based in Singapore. Her passion lies in crafting innovative solutions that enhance product quality and consumer satisfaction. Lulu is a food technologist with expertise in fats and oils for the bakery, chocolate and confectionery industries. She has more than 20 years extensive experience in product development from conceptualisation to market launch.
Together, Rachel and Lulu will discuss the technical intricacies involved in optimising chocolate production with high cocoa tolerant cocoa butter substitutes and cocoa butter alternatives.
Cabe Smithson is a highly experienced retail operations and supply chain expert with over 20 years of experience in the industry and has a strong academic background, including an MBA from Melbourne Business School. Through his career, Cabe has received multiple awards for delivering strong commercial outcomes across both retail store and supply chain operations. Cabe is currently leading the Supply Chain Transformation Program at Coles which plays a crucial role in supporting the overall ‘saving to invest program’ as well as leading the overall Supply Chain Network Transformation Program.
Cabe is well placed to discuss supply chain best practice with the industry and the transformative initiatives being implemented by Coles with the view to driving growth and efficiency.
Behaviour expert, Anthony Laye has an exceptional ability to understand how we think and behave. His tagline 'I know what you're thinking' is the essence of his presentations that aim to empower individuals and organisations with powerful tools for success. Through Anthony's insights, you can elevate your professional communication to stand out, win trust and amplify your influence. What could you achieve if you knew the secret to reading people and influence their thoughts and choices? Imagine becoming so attuned to your customers' needs that you can deliver experiences that far exceed their expectations. There's more to Anthony than just reading and influencing people. He also shows you how to understand and influence the way you are thinking too, so you can build more self-confidence and awareness. By mastering these techniques, you will achieve stronger connections, more productive collaborations, and a level of leadership that truly resonates.
Anthony Laye knows what you're thinking and he will share this remarkable skill with us at the ConTech2024 ‘after-dinner’ address.
ConTech2024 will appeal to a broad range of confectionery and wider food industry professionals, including those in the fields of:
Jennifer Thompson
Technical & Regulatory Manager
Email: jennifer.thompson@aigroup.com.au
Phone: 03 9867 0181
Mobile: 0418 223 170
Julie Gerrard
Event Coordinator
Email: julie.gerrard@aigroup.com.au
Mobile: 0407 326 160
