Best Food Product

Orry began his culinary career at 14 and trained in Michelin-starred kitchens including Number One at The Balmoral and Restaurant Andrew Fairlie. Part of the opening team at The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen, he has built an outstanding competitive career, winning Grampian Chef of the Year three times, UK Game Chef of the Year 2013, Scottish Chef of the Year 2019 and National Chef of the Year 2025.

Currently representing Scotland on Great British Menu, and now opening his own restaurant, Falls by Orry Shand, in Aberdeenshire, celebrating Scottish produce through a seasonal tasting menu.

Buyer, M&S Food

Best Food Product

Liam began his career at Tesco before spending the next 8 years scaling FMCG brands including Grenade and LoveRaw both domestically and Internationally, winning the Grocer Next Gen award in 2021.

He then joined the M&S Food business in 2024 to lead the Third Party Brand Strategy for the Food Group. Alongside this, Liam champions our Small Brands programme, supporting the identification of own label suppliers of the future and working closely with pioneering producers to develop commercially successful products for M&S customers. 

Scottish Regional Sourcing Manager, Bidfood

Best Drink Product

Steph is responsible for driving the development, management, and execution of strategies for sourcing local products in the North Region.

Steph is passionate about supporting regional producers and building a resilient supplier network, whilst facilitating the connections with producers and the broader UK market to grow and develop individual brands.

Head of Procurement, Strachans

Best Food Product

Joining the Royal Navy at the age of 16, Paul Northeast spent 30 years serving onboard both ships and submarines, formerly as a chef and catering manager and more latterly as a Logistics Officer.  Taking redundancy to follow other career options, he spent a brief period as the General Manager for a Facilities Management and Contract Catering company, responsible for the soft FM functions of two military sites in the North of Scotland.

When presented with the opportunity to take up an appointment with Strachans Ltd, based in Peterhead, Paul jumped at the chance of an exciting change of professional direction and a greatly reduced daily commute.

Starting with Strachans as a commercial Key Account Manager, Paul was responsible for managing the business relationships with several high profile customers.  After 5 years in the commercial department, Paul was offered the position of Head of Procurement within Strachans and excited by the further challenge, he took up the role which he continues to date. 

Founder, STRIQE

Best Drink Product

Ben is a commercially driven leader and sales strategist specialising in UK retail channels, eCommerce and marketplaces.

With 25 years in UK food and beverage, he brings a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and a passion for credible, values‑led brand storytelling.

His drinks pedigree spans early experience at Diageo through to supporting modern challenger brands including DASH, Nix & Kix and We Are Beer.

Through STRIQE, Ben partners with food and drink businesses to sharpen commercial strategy, elevate product narratives and drive market activation.

Food & Drink Journalist, DC Thomson

Best Drink Product

Karla Sinclair is a food and drink journalist and features writer who began her career with The Press and Journal in 2017, at the age of 17.

Since then, the P&J newsroom has remained her professional home — one she is very proud to be part of. She is best known for her coverage of the food and drink scene across the north and north-east of Scotland, from reviewing new menus to championing local producers.

Alongside this, Karla also writes human-interest features, bringing curiosity and care to the stories of the people and communities that shape the region.

Global Head of Trade, Consumer Industries, Scottish Development International

Innovative Impact

Ewen is the Global Head of Trade, Consumer Industries with Scottish Enterprise

He leads a team of thirty-five globally dispersed international trade specialists providing trade support to Scottish exporters in the food and drink and consumer lifestyle sectors. Ewen has spent over 21 years working in economic development for Scottish Enterprise in roles supporting the food and drink and energy industry sectors. Prior to joining Scottish Enterprise, Ewen worked in production management, purchasing, and commercial management roles within the food and drink industry with Christian Salvesen, Cargill Plc and Somerfield.

Ewen has a degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Aberdeen.

Operations Manager, The Chester Hotel

Best Drink Product

Philippa Norton, Operations Manager at The Chester Hotel, brings nearly two decades of experience within Aberdeen’s hospitality sector, with a career shaped by progression through some of the city’s most respected venues.

Beginning at Simpsons Hotel in 2006, she developed her expertise across both front-of-house and food and beverage operations, including roles at Number 1 Bar & Restaurant and a return to Simpsons as F&B Manager.

Since joining The Chester Hotel in 2014 as Restaurant Manager, Philippa has held senior roles spanning procurement, training and operations. Her breadth of experience offers a considered and knowledgeable perspective on quality, service and drinks excellence.     

Chief Operating Officer, Scottish EDGE

Innovative Impact

Kevin had a long and successful career with Sainsburys for 12 years in management, leadership and senior project management before joining the world of supporting start up entrepreneurs. After joining Entrepreneurial Spark in 2015 he threw himself into the growth mindset world and demonstrated a passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed in their ventures.

After 2 years and 200+ businesses supported, it was time to join the amazing Scottish EDGE team, initially as Relationship Manager, and now Chief Operating Officer.

His current role is focused on building upon the success of Scottish EDGE to make is more robust and ready for our future founders.

Strategic Services Director, SAOS

Innovation in Agriculture

Patrick has almost 30 years’ experience across the agri-food sector delivering, and implementing projects on an International, UK and Scottish level. 

Patrick works on a range of projects from developing new opportunities for Scottish Agricultural Exports to the delivery of Scotland Food & Drink Supply Chain Security work programme.

Previously Patrick was the Head of Seafood Scotland which markets, promotes and develops market opportunities for Seafood from Scotland. Patrick also spent a decade with SAC Consulting as a Senior Food & Drink Consultant, supporting businesses to adopt best practice and increase profitability across the wider agri‑food sector.

CEO, Scotland Food & Drink

Innovative Impact

Iain Baxter is the CEO of Scotland Food & Drink, the leadership organisation responsible for the development and delivery of the national food and drink strategy, ‘Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the World.’.

With more than 15 years’ experience in the drinks industry, Iain has held senior executive positions at global companies including Glenmorangie and Inver House Distillers.

Additionally, Iain has held directorships and consulted on areas such as housing and transport, including as Sales and Marketing Director at the Caledonian Sleeper.

Holding an MBA from the University of Dundee, Iain brought a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to his role when he joined Scotland Food & Drink in 2022 as CEO where he helps drive the growth and success of the Scottish food and drink industry.

Regional Manager, Scotland North, M&S

Innovative Impact

A senior retail leader and lifelong M&S colleague, Scott began as a Commercial Graduate and progressed through regional leadership roles across Scotland.

From Chryston near Glasgow, he has led every Scottish region, including Glasgow and now oversees North Scotland. Managing complex, multi-site operations and thousands of colleagues, Scott delivers strong commercial performance and customer experience.

With expertise spanning food and clothing, he’s passionate about food innovation and quality. Known for his people-first leadership, he drives store modernisation, growth, and high-performing, future-ready teams across Scotland.

Senior Consultant Area Manager, SAC Consulting

Innovation in Agriculture

After studying at SAC Aberdeen and graduating with a HND in Agriculture in 1998, Lawrence joined SAC as an assistant Trials Office with the trials team at Craibstone in Aberdeen. After 2 years Lawrence was promoted to Trials Officer, this involved taking charge of all cereal trials being conducted by SAC in the North and Northeast of Scotland

In 2010 he joined the consultancy division with the Stonehaven Office as an Agricultural Consultant. Lawrence currently provides technical and financial consultancy to around 100 farmer/estate clients in the Deeside area. In 2023 he became office manager for the Stonehaven office looking after a team of 11 full-time staff.

In the last 28 year of my career, Lawrence has gained a vast range of experience in most aspects of the farming industry. He has a particular interest in crop and soils, along with grassland and livestock management.

Innovation in Agriculture

Robert Maitland is a farmer at West Balhalgardy, Inverurie, where he manages a mixed farming enterprise comprising of arable, cattle, sheep and pigs, working alongside his son, Bobby. After 16 years of service as a Director, he was appointed Vice President of the Royal Highland Show in 2026, reflecting his longstanding involvement in Scottish agriculture.