Sterling celebrates progress at 59th annual conference
At its 59th annual conference, Sterling celebrated the progress and shared values that continue to drive the group forward
The event began with a golf tournament and a networking dinner, 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 the way wellbeing is shaping how foodservice businesses attract and retain talent, build resilience, and create long-term value.
The event hosted its second annual award ceremony during the Gala Dinner, creating an occasion where both members and suppliers came together to celebrate each other’s achievements, recognising 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 conference concluded with the Sterling Annual General Meeting, where 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 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.”
“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.
From wellbeing in the workplace to sustainable practices and strategic growth, the conversations at this year’s conference reflected a forward-thinking mindset and a collective commitment to building a resilient, future-ready foodservice network and buying group.
Daniel Larkin Foodservice Sterling Supergroup sustainability TWC wellbeing