Cold Chain Live! 2026

JULIET MANN

Juliet Mann is an experienced TV anchor and journalist specialising in business and current affairs. She is currently host of The Agenda on CGTN Europe and has worked in leading international newsrooms including CNBC, CNN, Sky News, TRT World and Reuters. During her career she has reported from London, Paris, New York and Frankfurt, interviewing senior business leaders, policymakers and industry experts from around the world.

Alongside her broadcast work, Juliet is a sought-after event host and moderator, leading discussions on topics ranging from entrepreneurship and innovation to sustainability and economic policy. Career highlights include reporting on the final transatlantic Concorde flight, interviewing David Beckham following London’s successful 2012 Olympic bid, and presenting for organisations including HSBC and EY. She also hosts the podcast A Week in my Flexible Working Life.

BERNIE COLLINS

Bernie Collins is a Formula 1 strategy engineer and broadcaster with more than a decade of experience at the highest level of motorsport. Most recently Head of Race Strategy for the Aston Martin F1 Team, she played a key role in race planning and decision-making, helping drivers and teams maximise performance under intense pressure.

Originally from Northern Ireland, Bernie studied Mechanical Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast before joining McLaren’s graduate programme in 2009. She progressed through performance and race engineering roles at McLaren and Force India, working with leading drivers including Jenson Button and contributing to multiple podium finishes and championship successes. In 2023, she joined the Sky Sports F1 team, where her expert analysis and insights into race strategy have made her a respected voice in Formula 1 broadcasting.

SIMON WHEATCROFT

Simon Wheatcroft is a technology innovator, endurance athlete and award-winning educator who has redefined what is possible as a blind person. After losing his sight at 17 due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, Simon turned to technology and determination to overcome barriers, becoming the first blind person to run solo across the Namib Desert in the gruelling 4 Deserts Marathon series. His achievements have attracted international media attention and inspired audiences around the world.

Working with organisations including IBM, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Google, Simon develops inclusive technologies that help people achieve more, from AI-powered systems to accessibility innovations. He is also the founder of Hackcessible, a user-led accessible hackathon initiative, and an award-winning computer science teacher, recognised with a Pearson National Teaching Award for Outstanding New Teacher. Today, Simon continues to challenge perceptions and inspire others to push the boundaries of what they believe is possible.

MAT OWEN

Mat Owen is Group Manager for Technical & Sustainability at FreshLinc Group, one of the UK’s leading temperature-controlled logistics and warehousing providers. Having joined the business as a Warehouse Operative in 2004, he has progressed through a variety of operational, management and technical leadership roles.

Today, Mat leads FreshLinc’s technical compliance, food safety, quality assurance and sustainability programmes, with responsibility for energy management, carbon reduction and environmental performance. A graduate in Food Science & Technology, he is a Member of the Institute of Food Science & Technology (MIFST) and an Associate Member of the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (AISEP). His work has included implementing energy monitoring systems, solar PV projects and low-emission technologies across cold chain operations. Mat also serves as Vice Chair of the South & East Lincolnshire Climate Action Network (SELCAN).

DAVEY GERLINGS

Davey Gerlings is CEO of Nekovri, the Dutch Association of Cold Stores. Having worked with the organisation for more than a decade (almost a third of his life!), he has led its transformation into a modern industry association focused on innovation, sustainability, workforce development and public affairs. With a background spanning law, politics and agriculture, he has become a leading advocate for the strategic importance of the Dutch cold chain.

He has been at the forefront of positioning the cold chain as part of the solution to Europe’s energy challenges. During the energy crisis, he helped the sector navigate unprecedented market conditions and has since worked with policymakers, energy stakeholders and grid operators on initiatives ranging from thermal energy storage research to innovative flexibility programmes that enable cold stores to support grid stability. His work in this field focuses on demonstrating how refrigerated warehouses can contribute to a resilient, efficient and sustainable energy system whilst safeguarding food security and securing recognition of the cold chain as critical infrastructure.

ANDY EASTLAKE

Andy Eastlake is an independent consultant supporting public and private sector organisations on road transport decarbonisation and emissions reduction. He is a recognised expert in heavy-duty vehicle emissions and led the 2024 Zemo Partnership programme for the Department for Transport on transport refrigeration unit (TRU) and refrigerated van emissions and energy measurement.

Andy was a founding member of Zemo Partnership in 2003, serving on its Board and as Chair of the Members Council before becoming Managing Director in 2012 and Chief Executive Officer in 2021. He stepped down as CEO in 2024.

Previously, Andy was Group Head of Commercial and Projects at Millbrook Proving Ground, leading powertrain testing, emissions measurement and alternative fuels programmes. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and has supported numerous UK transport innovation initiatives throughout his career.

KRIS GIBBON-WALSH

Kris Gibbon-Walsh is a charity leader with expertise in strategy, operations, technology and organisational transformation. He has helped scale food distribution and community support programmes in response to rapidly growing need, bringing together businesses, charities and government to tackle food waste and food insecurity at scale.

PAUL BENNELL

Paul Bennell is Group Supply Chain Director at Samworth Brothers, a £2 billion family-owned food manufacturer supplying all major UK retailers. He is responsible for the end-to-end supply chain, from inbound ingredients and production planning through to finished goods distribution and retailer-facing operations. Paul also leads SBSC, the group’s £80 million chill consolidation business and the UK’s fourth-largest operator in its sector.

A graduate in Economic Geography from the University of Wales Swansea, with a Master’s degree from the University of Birmingham, Paul has over 30 years’ experience across logistics, retail, healthcare, manufacturing and automotive sectors. His career has included senior leadership roles with DHL, Monsoon, HSS Hire, Brakes Brothers and Co-op, specialising in supply chain transformation and change management. Paul has also served as President and Chair of the Cold Chain Federation since 2023.

PHIL PLUCK

Phil is the CEO of the Cold Chain Federation (CCF), the voice of temperature-controlled logistics in the UK. The CCF represents over 250 companies, operating 450 specialist storage facilities and over 100,000 temperature-controlled vehicles. CCF member companies represent the very best in the UK cold chain in terms of operating standards and innovation. He has led several professional bodies as CEO and MD, specialising in employment relations, planning, construction, manufacturing, and financial services. His wide business background has also included commercial growth, strategy, and corporate rescue.

Phil and the CCF has been campaigning extensively to raise the profile of the cold chain in terms of its life essential importance to the UK citizen and to lobby government to ensure the cold chain becomes part of a resilience plan to protect it against increasingly dangerous threats in the form of climate change, cyber threats, and wider global crisis.  

TOM SOUTHALL

Tom Southall, Deputy Chief Executive, is part of the leadership team at the Cold Chain Federation, the UK’s trade association for the temperature-controlled logistics industry. With a background including public sector environmental policy and private consultancy, Tom leads the Federation’s policy and advisory services which cover a wide range of areas including energy and climate change, food safety, health and safety and transport policy. The cold chain is critical to us all, from maintaining the UK’s food supply to minimising food waste and the Cold Chain Federation exists to provide a voice for this vital, but largely unseen, part of the supply chain.

DANIEL BOONHAM

Daniel joined Samworth Brothers Supply Chain in 2021 as a Business Management Degree Apprentice, gaining experience across planning, transport, warehousing and a range of cross-functional projects. This broad exposure provided a strong foundation in supply chain operations and led him to develop a passion for transport management.

Following the successful completion of his apprenticeship, Daniel secured a full-time management role within the Transport team, where he is responsible for operational performance, health and safety, and food safety. Alongside his role, he has achieved his Category C+E driving licence and Transport Manager CPC, further strengthening his technical expertise.

As a recipient of the Cold Chain Federation Emerging Leaders Bursary, Daniel is currently undertaking the Cultivate Leadership Programme to further develop his leadership skills and industry knowledge.

SEAN HURLEY

Sean Hurley is Director of Sales at Star Refrigeration, where he leads the company’s sales strategy and works closely with customers to develop sustainable industrial refrigeration and heat pump solutions.

Beginning his career as an apprentice engineer, Sean has over 18 years’ experience in the refrigeration industry, progressing through engineering, technical sales and sales management before becoming Director of Sales in 2025. Alongside his career, he earned a First Class BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from Manchester Metropolitan University and received the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Best Project Certificate.

In 2025, Sean was awarded the Cold Chain Federation Emerging Leaders Bursary in recognition of his leadership potential and contribution to the industry. He is passionate about developing people, building strong customer relationships and helping drive the transition to sustainable cooling and heating technologies.