Sterling Supergroup Celebrates Strong Community and Progress at 59th Annual Conference
Sterling Supergroup welcomed members and suppliers to its 59th Annual Conference in Gloucestershire last week, bringing together its community to reflect on an exciting year and share plans for the future. The event was a celebration of progress, and the shared values that continue to drive the group forward.
The event began with a golf tournament and a welcome networking dinner, setting the tone for a dynamic and engaging few days. This was followed by a full day of conference and exhibition, where the theme “Future-Proofing Foodservice: Wellbeing as a Competitive Edge” took centre stage. The theme reflected a growing recognition that wellbeing isn’t just a people priority, it’s essential for all businesses. From mental health support to workplace culture, wellbeing is shaping how foodservice businesses attract and retain talent, build resilience, and create long-term value.
In line with this theme, attendees joined a thought-provoking session led by Jemma Willins from Seismic Change, who explained how the B Corp framework, specifically the workers pillar, can help build a strong foundation with little or no cost to a business. The session offered practical takeaways, including an essential toolkit for small, actionable changes that can be implemented immediately to help build a resilient and future-proof business. The session received outstanding feedback, highlighting how valuable the insights were for both personal wellbeing and business performance.
Sterling Supergroup was also proud to share the progress it has made over the past 12 months, including the launch of its new Sterling Caterers Essentials marketing tools for members and a first look at exciting plans for 2026.
The event hosted its second annual award ceremony during the Gala Dinner, creating a truly inspiring occasion where both members and suppliers came together to celebrate each other’s achievements. The atmosphere was filled with genuine appreciation and a strong sense of shared purpose as the group recognised the remarkable efforts driving sustainability and excellence across our community.
The winners of the 2025 awards were:
Member of the Year 2025 – J&R Foodservice Ltd
Supplier of the Year 2025 – Unilever Food Solutions
Sterling Caterers Essentials Member of the Year 2025 – Cool Cuisine Foodservice Ltd
Sterling Caterers Essentials Supplier of the Year 2025 – Martin Mathew & Co Ltd
Sustainability Member of the Year 2025 – Strachans Ltd
Sustainability Supplier of the Year 2025 – Marshfield Farm Ice Cream Ltd
The event concluded with the Sterling Supergroup Annual General Meeting, which saw a record high attendance from members, a true testament to the strength and engagement of the group. As part of the AGM, TWC joined the session to speak with members about the importance and power of data, highlighting how insight-led decision making can unlock new opportunities and drive smarter growth across members’ businesses, Sterling Supergroup as a whole, and the wider foodservice sector.
Daniel Larkin, Chief Commercial Officer, said “After a year of drawing interest and elevating awareness of all our group's assets, it was a real pleasure to see the Sterling community in full swing. The theme for this year’s conference really hit the mark and seemed to spark some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had in ages. We also saw a record number of entrants and nominations for our awards, which continue to gain momentum as a powerful driver of excellence.”
Attendee feedback reflected the success and relevance of the event. Members and suppliers praised the conference for its engaging content and sense of community.
“Sterling consistently delivers one of the best organised and value-for-money trade shows we attend. It’s professional, seamless, and enjoyable. It’s an event we always look forward to.”
— Supplier Partner
“This event was an invaluable chance to discover emerging products and gain insights that help differentiate your business. It’s an ideal space for networking, learning, and staying competitive in today’s fast-paced market.”
— Member Attendee
As the conference came to a close, it was clear that the strength of the Sterling Community lies in its people, the members and suppliers who continue to champion progress through collaboration and shared purpose. From wellbeing in the workplace to sustainable practices and strategic growth, the conversations this year reflected a forward-thinking mindset and a collective commitment to building a resilient, future-ready foodservice network and buying group. Sterling Supergroup is proud of the relationships it has built and nurtured, relationships that continue to shape a stronger, more connected future for all.
Sterling Supergroup will proudly celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026, with more details to be shared in the coming months. The momentum from this year’s conference sets the tone for what promises to be a memorable and meaningful year ahead.
