Conference26

A global authority on Innovation and Strategy, Will predicts how future customers are going to behave, and recommends the best strategies clients should use to reach them. 

His keynote talks have inspired thousands globally: from conferences organised by the Financial Times and Harvard Business Review to corporate events for Walt Disney, Barclaycard, Marks and Spencer and Primark.

Will runs strategic consultancy Next Big Thing, helping clients from Amazon to HSBC, Sainsbury’s to MTV understand what their customers (and employees) will think, do, expect, demand and buy in future.

35 years’ experience in Retail and Wholesale, starting my career in independent Stores, progressing my way through every role, starting from the bottom and gaining experience in Convenience, Catering, Forecourts, Supermarkets, Big Box, Cash & Carry, Field, Area, Regional, Central, Strategic and Director roles. With the last 15 years working within Booker.

A highly experienced retail business leader, especially passionate about UK convenience store retailing.

Situational leader, with a strong and successful track record in delivering fiscal growth, creating high performance leadership teams and adept at cultivating cultural improvements and with a laser focus on consumer needs in an ever-changing market.

Vast experience in brand creation and development, new operating formats, portfolio acquisition and integration and all aspects of commercial, supply chain and marketing across many different business types. 

Andy is the Retail Operations Director for bp, responsible for delivering best-in-class operations and profitable growth across their >300 company-owned retail sites, whilst enhancing convenience experience through the partnership with M&S and driving growth initiatives.

Andy has 26 years of experience, having worked in several businesses and support functions across bp. He has a strong background in operations and management and has been instrumental in driving key initiatives within the company. Prior to his current role Andy most recently served as head of the UK Dealer business where he was responsible for marketing bp’s fuel, café and EV offer into independent forecourt operators across the UK and the Business Advisor to the Senior Vice President for retail across Europe and Southern Africa. Andy is a highly commercial individual who enjoys identifying business growth opportunities. 

Michael Fletcher was appointed Managing Director of SPAR UK in November 2024. Michael  has a wealth of commercial and retail leadership experience. His career spans over 20 years at Tesco in senior roles across the UK, Asia and Ireland and 10 years as Chief Commercial Officer at Co-op Retail and latterly as CEO of Co-op Wholesale (Nisa).

At SPAR UK, Michael leads a network of thousands of independent retailers and stores across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England - combining the strength of a global brand with the spirit of local retailing. He is passionate about driving growth through innovation, championing own label and brand partnerships and helping retailers navigate the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing sector.

Jack is the owner of Bradley's Supermarkets alongside his parents, operating two village convenience stores in Quorn, based in Leicestershire. Their focus is on supporting local brands and offering a diverse range of products to their local community. Jack takes pride in the in-house kitchen where they produce a variety of goods, from ready meals to sandwiches and convenient items for on the go customers. Jack is always looking to development his product range and closely collaborates with suppliers to continuously enhance the store offerings.