Press release: UK Flour Millers set for Belfast convention in summer 2025

UK FLOUR MILLERS SET FOR BELFAST CONVENTION IN SUMMER 2025

The convention will bring together flour millers and key stakeholders from the UK and Ireland to bolster the industry

UK Flour Millers, the trade association for the flour milling industry, confirmed the programme for its biennial convention. It is due to be held in the vibrant city of Belfast over Thursday, 5 June and Friday, 6 June 2025.

The convention is an established milling industry event where millers and the wider stakeholder community come together, catch up, and explore key developments shaping the industry. This year it is made up of three main elements: a welcome reception, full day conference, and concludes with a gala dinner.

Based at the historic Merchant Hotel in central Belfast, the conference on Friday, 6 June, will address pivotal topics including global food security, using electric-powered trucks for bulk material transport, grain market developments, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging consumer trends.

Conference speakers will include: Dave Rose, founder and CEO of electric truck pioneers, Voltloader; David Crozier CBE, director of Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC); BBC Northern Ireland Economics & Business Editor, John Campbell; Nathan Ward from Kantar; Professor Nigel Scollan, Director of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University; Dr Rory Deverell of Black Silo; and Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Manufacturing Northern Ireland.

“Our conference programme touches on topics of interest to the milling sector and draws on the local expertise in areas including food security and AI,” explained UK Flour Millers’ chief executive, Alistair Gale. “The conference is the heart of a really strong programme, starting with our Irish produce-themed welcome reception and concluding with the gala dinner at historic Hillsborough Castle.

“We’re seeing really strong interest from members and associate members, so are encouraging people to book their tickets early.”

UK Flour Millers represents millers across the UK mainland and the island of Ireland; its original name, only changed some five years ago, was the National Association of British and Irish Millers and it continues to represent Irish millers. The island of Ireland is home to four flour mills: Andrews Flour in Percy Street and Neill’s Flour in College Place in Belfast; with Odlums and Kells operating mills in Portarlington and Bennettsbridge, respectively.

UK Flour Millers’ president and Hovis procurement director, Gary Sharkey, commented:

“This will be our first full convention since COVID. We’re looking forward to hosting delegates in this historic milling centre for engaging discussions, learning, and networking.”

More information on the event is available on the UK Flour Millers website: https://www.ukflourmillers.org/2025-convention-in-belfast

The core convention spans two days, as follows:

Thursday, 5 June 2025 – The Merchant Hotel

Afternoon: UK Flour Millers’ Annual General Meeting
Evening: welcome reception

Friday, 6 June 2025 – The Merchant Hotel and Hillsborough Castle

All day: conference – see topics and speakers online
Evening: gala dinner at Hillsborough Castle

Delegates are welcome to remain in and explore the city on Saturday, 7 June 2025.

About UK Flour Millers:

UK Flour Millers is the trade body for the UK flour milling industry. The association supports members by facilitating reliable, sustainable, and affordable supplies of wheat, providing training, promoting good practices in health and safety, advocating for the industry, and shaping and supporting long-term research and development. The organisation speaks on behalf of their members to government, policy makers, the media, consumers, and other stakeholders.

Notes to readers:

The flour milling industry plays a vital role in feeding and nourishing the nation – flour is an ingredient in approximately one-third of supermarket foods, shown via Ascential data. Furthermore, 99.8% of UK households purchase bread according to Kantar worldpanel. Flour mills operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that bakeries, food manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers have the flour they need to make food for the nation.

Readers can learn more about UK Flour Millers’ 2025 convention in Belfast by going to their programme’s website. Details include convention highlights, venues, the partner programme for significant others, and sponsorship opportunities.