As a proud member of Food and Drink North East (FADNE), and a longstanding supporter of the North East’s thriving food and drink sector, we were delighted to attend and present at ‘Room With A View: The State of The Sector Edition’ – the latest flagship event by FADNE and Johnston Carmichael.

With some of the region’s most influential voices across food and drink production, hospitality, investment and policy in attendance, the event marked an opportunity for industry collaboration and knowledge sharing, working through some key issues in the sector.

Industry insights

Partner and Head of our Newcastle office, Paul Shields, shared some findings from our latest Food & Drink Sector Survey, an annual analysis of the sector which is open to businesses of all sizes from across the UK.

Some of the key findings included:

• Optimism has declined – 58% of businesses expressed optimism about future growth in 2025, a 10% drop from the previous year.
• Cost increases remain a challenge – 43% of respondents reported cost increases of more than 10%
• Sustainability and innovation at the forefront – 54% of businesses reported having a sustainability strategy in place, and 42% have invested significantly in innovation

Our Food & Drink Sector Survey highlights how businesses are coping, but also acts as a benchmarking tool around how others in the sector are approaching certain challenges. These findings offered context for wider discussions around sector resilience, and were met with strong engagement from attendees, many of whom are navigating similar challenges and opportunities in their own businesses.

Our partnership with FADNE

Our relationship with FADNE is built on a shared commitment to championing the region’s food and drink sector and supporting the businesses at its heart.

Speaking on the partnership, Chris Jewitt, Founder and CEO of Food and Drink North East, said: “The insights shared at ‘Room With A View’ are a vital temperature check for our sector. Events like this bring our membership community together to face industry challenges head-on, sharing practical solutions, and celebrating in the innovation that defines the region. Our ongoing collaboration with Johnston Carmichael is crucial in helping us provide that clarity, strategy, and sector voice to the businesses that make up our region’s vibrant food, drink and hospitality economy.”

Working with FADNE, we are committed to helping businesses navigate the road ahead, whether that’s through financial guidance, strategic planning, or unlocking opportunities for growth.

Looking ahead

The energy and engagement at the event highlighted how, despite facing a number of challenges as identified in our survey, businesses are still determined to succeed and grow. Food and Drink is worth £37 billion to the UK economy and more specifically, it contributes £600 million to the North East’s economy and supports around 13,000 jobs. We are proud to be part of that movement, working alongside FADNE and its members to support sustainable growth and innovation across the North East.

For more information about our food and drink services or to request a copy of our full survey report, please visit our website.