FD&H + NECTA 2025 UPDATE
We are proud of what we delivered in 2023 and 2024, establishing FD&H Live (previously called HITS Expo) as the North East’s flagship celebration of food, drink and hospitality. Across farming, manufacturing, products and brands, food retail and hospitality, the event brought together the entire regional supply chain with energy, ambition and creativity.
At the heart of this is NECTA, a cornerstone of skills, competitions and professional excellence.
When our CEO, Chris Jewitt, also took on the role of NECTA Chair, he inherited a legacy built on 17 years of passion and stewardship from Douglas Jordan. This is not a responsibility Chris – and his dedicated FADNE team – have taken lightly. Together, they remain deeply committed to protecting NECTA’s legacy while also driving it forward into the future.
Chris Jewitt, CEO of Food and Drink North East, said: “Our ambition has always been to create an anchor event for the North East that brings the whole supply chain together from fishing to farming, manufacturing through to products, brands, retail and hospitality.
“To achieve that requires support, investment and focus. With the FADNE team, I am committed to building on Douglas Jordan’s incredible 17-year legacy with NECTA as well as our previous HITS Expo’s, in ensuring that FD&H Live 2026 delivers a world-class platform worthy of our region.
“For those of you looking forward to this year’s event, we sincerely apologise – but we have to get this right.”
To achieve this ambition, the event requires:
• Consultation with students, educators and industry.
• Collaboration across the supply chain.
• A sustainable long-term financial model that ensures ambitions are achievable and expectations are met.
We thank our partners, sponsors and community for their continued support – and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for an unforgettable celebration of the region’s food, drink and hospitality industries in the near future.
Chris Jewitt
