Resilience, Innovation and Connection: What to expect at Cold Chain Live! 2025

With Cold Chain Live! 2025 just around the corner, anticipation is building for what promises to be our biggest and most exciting event yet. Bringing together operators, innovators, and industry leaders, the two-day conference is the highlight of the cold chain calendar.

To give us a preview of what delegates can expect, we sat down with Events Manager, Jane Jones. From headline speakers to hands-on innovation, Jane shares why this year’s event is one not to miss.

So Jane, tell us what makes Cold Chain Live! so special, and why do you think it sells out every year?

Cold Chain Live! is the only conference which looks at the factors that are affecting cold chain businesses now and in the future, giving business owners and senior execs the opportunity to hear firsthand from industry experts, academia and specialists in areas that impact on their daily operations.

We always see a fantastic turnout from our operator members who come to learn, meet suppliers, and network with their peers, and Cold Chain Live! is continuously supported by our innovator members. They enable us to provide a high-quality exhibition and networking areas alongside an exceptional conference programme. That’s probably why it’s a sell-out!

This year’s programme looks packed. Can you share some of the key sessions you’re most excited about?

We are fortunate to welcome such high-calibre speakers every year, and this year is no exception. We are delighted to have Tim Smith CBE, Chairman of Cranswick plc and member of the Food Security Advisory Board, joining us. The board works alongside DEFRA to help shape the future policy of the UK food industry, and Tim will share insights from this work, including its impact on UK food security and preparedness.

I’m also very excited about welcoming Rik Ferguson, Special Advisor to Europol’s European Cyber Crime Centre (EC3). Cybersecurity is a critical issue across every industry, and Rik will help cold chain operators understand how to better protect themselves against cyber-attacks.

In addition to the main stage programme, we are also running breakout zones which are hosted by our Platinum Partners, without whom we would not be able to deliver this fantastic event. Thermo King will be focussing on electrification and energy recovery in transport refrigeration, Star Refrigeration on cold store refrigeration topics, Blue Cube’s theme is fresh thinking about freezing and Olympus Power will be launching a brand-new Renewable Energy Guide.

So you’re absolutely right, the programme is jam-packed!

The exhibition hall is even bigger this year. What can attendees expect?

We’ve expanded to over 40 stands for 2025, with suppliers for both cold store and fleet businesses, plus trailers and an all-electric truck and trailer on display. The Innovation Zone will feature presentations from our Platinum and Gold Partners, showcasing the latest technology and solutions for the sector. We’ve really gone all out for our attendees…

What are the big issues or opportunities in 2025 that the programme will help delegates tackle?

The theme this year is resilience. Across government and industry, resilience is the buzzword – and for good reason. The cold chain is absolutely central to the UK’s food security and preparedness, and our programme this year looks at the role our sector can play in times of crisis, in recovery, and in leading the way on decarbonisation and responding to climate change.

I’m really proud that Cold Chain Live! 2025 will shine a spotlight on these challenges but also celebrate the incredible innovation and inventiveness within our industry. Delegates will come away not just with insights into the risks we face, but with practical ideas and inspiration for how to turn them into opportunities.

How does Cold Chain Live! differ from the other events the CCF hosts?

Each of our events has its own focus – from sustainability at the Climate Summit to engagement with MPs at our Parliamentary Reception. Cold chain Live! is, however, the pinnacle of our year where we explore the wider themes that affect the UK cold chain; global factors, national policy, food resilience and threats to our sector.

We also celebrate the people in the cold chain and award the CCF Emerging Leaders’ Bursary during this event. We encourage members to bring their teams and we welcome non-members to come and learn about our industry, and its critical role in the UK’s food and pharma supply chain.

The Gala Dinner is always a highlight. What makes it special?

Unlike many industry dinners, the Cold Chain Live! dinner is a relaxed affair. No need to dress up in cocktail dresses or dinner suits, unless you really want to. No lengthy awards ceremony to sit through, just an evening of catching up with friends old and new. Each year we include a little entertainment (some have been more successful than others!) and we hope to have magically hit the right balance this year.

For anyone who’s never been before, what’s your top advice?

The first thing I would say is book your tickets early as we do sell out. All CCF member companies are entitled to 2 free conference tickets, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring your team members – you just have to pay a little extra. With some sessions running concurrently, it’s difficult to absorb everything, so I would say, bring the experts in your business to hear from the innovators who are experts in theirs.

Cold Chain Live! is a two-day event, and day 2 is one you won’t want to miss with its focus on cybersecurity and the Bursary Awards. Hotels are just a short walk from the venue, but it’s worth booking your room early, along with your Gala Dinner ticket. We’ve seen members bring not only their teams but also key customers to the dinner, making it an excellent setting to engage with colleagues and customers in a relaxed environment.

What’s your favourite part of organising Cold Chain Live!?

That’s a toughie! Probably once we are underway – seeing the event come alive and people engaging with the presentations, exhibitors and each other. The exhibition hall gets a real buzz about it with all the chatter which I really like.

I also like to sneak in the back of the conference room and listen to the superb speakers, and hear what questions come from the audience. We use an app for this so, no roving mics to worry about and our fabulous host, Maryam Moshiri, always has some probing ones of her own. This will be the second time that Maryam has hosted for us, and she is a joy to work with.

And what do you love most about seeing the industry come together at Cold Chain Live!?

We really do have the best bunch of people in this industry; we are always greeted with big smiles and kind words. There’s always a great atmosphere at Cold Chain Live! with lots of laughter. That’s not to say that there’s no serious business done – there have been some big deals that have come from a little chat at CCL!

Finally, why should people book their tickets today rather than wait?

Because it really does sell out! Even with a bigger venue this year, demand is high. Booking early guarantees your place at the conference, the dinner, and nearby hotels. Don’t leave it to chance would be my advice.

Register

If you’re interested in attending Cold Chain Live! 2025, you can find out more about the event here and register for your ticket today.

We can’t wait to see you there!

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