Senior leaders from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Co-op, Dr. Oetker and Morrisons are confirmed for this year's flagship diversity and inclusion event.
GroceryAid has unveiled the panel of senior leaders to take part in this year's Senior Leader Conversation at D&I in Grocery LIVE!, on 9 October 2026, as the grocery industry prepares to come together under the theme "Evolve to Thrive: Make Inclusion your Competitive Advantage".
Taking place on 9 October 2026 at the InterContinental London – The O2, the flagship event will bring together more than 1,300 colleagues from across the grocery industry to explore how diversity and inclusion can drive stronger businesses, better leadership and long-term commercial success.
Joining the Senior Leader Conversation are:
- John Brassington, Managing Director UK at Dr. Oetker
- Charlotte Exell, Group Online Director at Morrisons
- Imran Rasul, Chief Commercial Officer at Co-op
- An Vermeulen, Vice President & General Manager, Great Britain Business Unit at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
With more than two decades of leadership experience, Vermeulen has played a pivotal role in shaping Coca-Cola Europacific Partners' approach to diversity and inclusion. During the discussion, she will share how embedding inclusion into business strategy has helped strengthen culture, unlock innovation and support long-term growth.
Exell will bring her perspective on leading digital transformation within one of the UK's largest retailers, exploring how inclusive leadership can drive greater collaboration, improve decision-making and create better outcomes for colleagues and customers alike.
With nearly 30 years' experience in the FMCG industry, including almost two decades in leadership roles, Brassington will share how to genuinely embed D&I into culture and leadership. Brassington has worked extensively with UK and international executive teams to deliver strategic change and business growth, including fostering inclusive cultures and results driven workplaces that excel through collaboration and purpose-driven leadership.
Imran Rasul, the newly appointed Chief Commercial Officer for Co-op, leads across Co-op’s five consumer facing channels, alongside all internal product and service requirements, and is uniquely positioned to discuss the practical and commercial power of inclusive organisations both inside and outside of the food ecosystem.
The Senior Leader Conversation will form one of the centre-pieces of D&I in Grocery LIVE!, bringing together some of the industry's most influential voices to discuss how organisations can turn inclusive leadership into a genuine competitive advantage in an increasingly fast-changing retail landscape, and the ideas shaping the future of the industry.
"We're delighted to welcome our four panellists to this year's Senior Leader Conversation,” said Siwan Smith, Chair of the D&I in Grocery LIVE! Steering Group, and Inclusion and Diversity Manager at Princes Group. “They are recognised leaders who understand that diversity and inclusion are not separate from commercial success—they are fundamental to it.
"As our industry continues to evolve, creating inclusive cultures that attract talent, encourage innovation and better reflect the customers we serve has never been more important. This conversation will provide delegates with practical insight from leaders who are embedding inclusion into the heart of their businesses."
D&I in Grocery LIVE! is the grocery industry's flagship diversity and inclusion event, bringing together colleagues from every corner of the sector to share ideas, challenge thinking and inspire meaningful action. Through thought-provoking discussions, practical insights and shared experiences, the event demonstrates how inclusion can help organisations evolve, thrive and build stronger businesses for the future.
To book your place, visit diversityingrocery.co.uk/di-in-grocery-live