Robin Rowland, chief executive of Yo! Sushi; Simon Kossoff, chief executive of Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s; Tim Bacon, co-founder and managing director of restaurant and bar group Living Ventures; and Ian Neill, chairman of Las Iguanas and a non-executive director at Jamie’s Italian will head the show’s CGA Peach Panel – The Chain Gang, chaired by industry analyst Peter Martin, vice president of CGA Peach.

This session, which takes place on Wednesday, February 26, will explore how the UK’s branded restaurant sector has transformed the way Brits eat out, and outline the challenges and opportunities ahead for the casual dining market over the next 12 months.

Another new name joining the line-up is Alan Kay, former CFO of The Fat Duck Group, whose session, entitled ‘A recipe for financial success’, will focus on some of the key ingredients that can enable businesses to gain important insight into aspects of their operations that can be financially successful.

The free keynote programme includes previously confirmed sessions by Alex Reilley, managing director of Loungers; Andrew Guy, CEO of Ed’s Easy Diner; Peter Backman, managing director of Horizons; Simon Stenning, foodservice strategy director at Allegra Strategies; Jason Katz, founding partner at Kings Park Capital; Scott Elliott, director at CGA Peach; Paul Charity, managing director of Propel Info; Mark McCulloch, founder of Spectacular Marketing; and Jens Hofma, CEO of Pizza Hut Restaurants.

“The UK casual dining sector is more vibrant than ever,” comments Hofma. “As a result, UK consumers now have access to a broader range of experiential eating-out occasions. This creates worthwhile jobs, economic value and, ultimately, more fun and excitement in people’s everyday lives. The casual dining trade show sends a strong signal that our sector is no longer in its infancy but is a positive force to be reckoned with in the UK economy.”

Chris Brazier, event manager at organisers Diversified Communications UK, said that it was an impressive line-up for any show – “let alone a launch”. “From the speakers to the exhibitors and the visitors themselves, the who’s who of the sector will be at this show doing business. It’s going to be a very busy and productive two days.”

For further information and to register for a free trade pass, visit www.casualdiningshow.co.uk