ECR Leaders Forum 2026
ECR Ireland Leaders Forum 2026 is the annual meeting point for senior leaders across Ireland’s retail and consumer goods industry, focused on what businesses need to prioritise now to move forward with confidence.
The 2026 agenda will centre on three hot topics facing the industry today: The Future Consumer, Digital Transformationand Food Fit for the Future. Through a mix of presentations, panel discussions and live interviews, the Forum will look at how organisations are responding to changes in consumer behaviour, advances in technology and new product demands.
Leaders from companies including Tesco, Unilever, AWS, Mars, Birds Eye, Nomad Foods, Strong Roots, Gate One and Dr. Oetker will share their perspectives, alongside interviews with senior retail and manufacturing executives.
The Forum is designed to be practical and discussion-led, giving attendees the opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders, contribute to the conversation and connect with peers across the sector.
Hot Topics and Speakers
Guest Speakers – Interviews
Noel Keeley,
CEO,
The Musgrave Group
Hazel Ahern- Flynn,
Senior Economist,
IBEC
Gráinne Galvin,
Country Manager,
General Mills Ireland
The Future Consumer
Keith Farrell,
Country Manager,
Dr. Oetker
Chris Upton,
CEO,
Gate One
Scott Ellis,
Partner,
Gate One
Lucy Cunningham,
Head of Media & Propositions EMEA & APAC,
dunnhumby
Digital Transformation
Richie Jones,
Enterprise Technologist,
AWS
Food Fit for the Future
Chris Knowles,
Country Manager,
Birds Eye Ireland
Lauren Woodley,
Head of Nutrition and Sensory Science,
Nomad Foods
Kevin Friel,
VP Marketing,
Strong Roots
ECR Co-Chairs
Paul Kelly,
Business Unit & Customer Strategy Planning Director,
Unilever,
Michael Donohue,
Senior Commercial Manager,
Tesco Ireland,
