The C-Suite Spot

Food & Drink in Focus: Food & Drink in Focus: Christmas Trading, Health Megatrends & Avoiding the Reset Reflex

In this episode of Food & Drink in Focus, Rob Iles and David Wilkinson unpack what’s really shaping the UK food and drink market right now. They explore the rise of health-led innovation – from fibre and protein to gut health and cleaner labels – and why brands like M&S are winning by turning complex trends into simple, compelling propositions. The conversation also looks at the growing influence of GLP-1 drugs, HFSS regulation and AI-driven shopping, and what this convergence means for how consumers plan, choose and consume food. Rather than another New Year “reset”, the episode makes the case for recalibration – helping leaders cut through the noise, focus on what matters most and maintain strategic momentum.

Food & Drink in Focus: Appetite Shifts, Price Shocks & the Battle for Value | The C-Suite Spot Episode 4

Rob and David are back with another Food & Drink in Focus deep dive - unpacking the disruptive forces reshaping the food and drink industry right now. From the rapid rise of GLP-1 medicines and their early impact on grocery baskets, snacking, alcohol and food-to-go, to the escalating pressures of HFSS regulation on the Christmas period, they explore how shifting appetite, behaviour and policy are converging to change what and how people buy. They also dig into the consumer confusion around soaring food prices , with orange juice as the perfect case study, and examine what today’s value equation really looks like as households trade off quality, convenience and ethics in favour of monetary value. With grounded insight and decades of commercial experience, Rob and David discuss how brands should respond, where innovation will come from, and why recalibrating strategy - not endlessly “resetting” - will define the leaders that stay relevant in fast-moving market

Food & Drink in Focus | The C-Suite Spot Episode 3

In this episode of The C-Suite Spot, Rob Iles is joined by David Wilkinson, who recently swapped corporate leadership for a new chapter with Visionise after more than 30 years in senior roles across food and drink. Together, they explore how the industry is shifting from the pressures of achieving growth to the rise of new consumer value equation impacting behaviours and reshaping categories. They discuss why foodservice and retail are changing so quickly, the pitfalls of big brands acquiring smaller, exciting challengers, and the constant need to stay authentic in the eyes of the consumer. With fresh perspectives and candid reflections, Rob and David unpack what today’s leaders should be thinking about to keep brands relevant and resilient in uncertain times.

Growth Against the Odds: launching a premium brand in an entrenched own label food category

In this episode, Rob Iles talks to Tom Horvath Neumann, Founder and Managing Director of Properoni, about the bold moves behind one of the most unexpected brand success stories over the last few years. When Covid hit and their commodity foodservice business evaporated overnight, Tom and his team made a bold strategic move - launching a premium pepperoni brand in the middle of a supply crisis. Now with national distribution in Tesco and Ocado and celebrated by chefs and foodies alike, Properoni has gone from back-of-house ingredient to UK’s No 1 pepperoni brand. This is a story of self-belief, resilience, and smart brand building, why premium pepperoni was the right bet, how Properoni captured consumer imagination, and what it means to pursue growth when the rulebook no longer applies.

Is Consumer Research Still Relevant in Today's Environment? | The C-Suite Spot Episode 1

The Future of Consumer Research: Insights from Top Industry Leaders | The Visionise C-Suite Spot Podcast Hosted by Rob Iles, Founder & MD of Visionise, the panel features top industry leaders Sharon Cahill, Marketing Director at corporate finance firm Corbett Keeling; James Cornish, former Tesco buyer and now an independent insight consultant; Jamie Williams, Managing Partner at London-based creative agency Isobel; and David Wilkinson, newly appointed Associate Commercial Director here at Visionise and former Business Development Director at The Billington Group. In this episode of the Visionise C-Suite Spot podcast, we explore the evolution and relevance of consumer research in today's business environment. Together, they unpack the shifting role of insight in high-stakes decisions -from deal-making to innovation and discuss the risks of over-relying on data without interpretation. They explore why triangulation is emerging as a leadership skill, where AI can surface patterns but not meaning, and why better questions - more than bigger datasets - often unlock the next growth opportunity. Tune in for actionable strategies and expert opinions on maximising the value of consumer research