Host Carwyn Jones is joined by Rhys Llywelyn, Senior Associate at BIC Innovation; Valerie Creusailor, Co-Founder of Goch & Co; and Neil Burchell, Food & Drink Wales Trade Development Programme, to discuss insights from this year's Blas Cymru conference, the significant growth of the Welsh food and drink industry, and the roles their organisations play in supporting Welsh food & drink businesses on the world stage.

Host Gemma Casey is joined by Professor David Lloyd, Chair of the Food & Drink Wales Industry Board and Director of the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University; Dr. Rhian Hayward MBE, CEO of AberInnovation; and Andrew Martin, Head of Food, Drink and Agri-tech at AMRC Cymru.

The Welsh ‘food foundation’ sector - businesses that produce, process, manufacture and wholesale food and drink goods - turned over £9.3 billion in 2023 – surpassing a target set for it by Welsh Government two years early. The guests discuss the importance of the triple helix approach of industry, academia and government in achieving success, as well as support mechanisms including the Food & Drink Wales Cluster Network and Food Innovation Wales.

In our inaugural episode of Food and Drink Wales, Business News Wales editor Gemma Casey examines the outlook for Wales' food and drink sector. The discussion covers the impact of recent geopolitical events and economic challenges, and highlights the importance of government support in fostering industry growth and stability. Expert guests include Linda Grant (Managing Director of BIC Innovation), Harry Cobbold (Public Affairs Manager of the Food and Drink Federation), and Ffion Moseley (Chartered Accountant at Castell Howell Foods).

Food and Drink Wales is a dedicated monthly series specifically focused on topics that matter to food and drink producers and suppliers in Wales. With a focus on innovation and opportunity, each month we're poised to explore and uncover the issues that matter to Wales’ Food and Drink sector.