The newly appointed Grocery Code Adjudicator-Designate, Christine Tacon, is set to be interviewed at IFE13 on Monday 18 March. This will be hosted by ex-editor of The Grocer and industry consultant, Clive Beddall, in The Hub. The session will discuss Tacon’s new role enforcing the Groceries Supply Code of Practice – a code that regulates interactions between the ten largest supermarkets and their direct suppliers. The position was set up to resolve disputes between supermarkets and suppliers, including the power to fine where necessary.

The session is anticipated to be one of the most enlightening in The Hub’s calendar of events, offering an opportunity to hear Christine’s thoughts on the UK Grocery supply chain before her shadow period ends in the spring.

Christine Tacon, Grocery Code Adjudicator-Designate, says: “When the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill finishes its course in Parliament and comes into force, I will officially take up my role as Adjudicator. Until then, as Adjudicator-Designate, I am making the most of my time, before I have any powers, to outline the areas where I can get involved, as well as those in which I can’t.

“It is therefore an ideal opportunity to talk at IFE13 in front of so many people to whom the Code is directly relevant. I want to hear of issues that exist today, and I hope this session will start to build up the trust required for those in the chain to be able to tell me what is going on. I believe there are efficiencies to be had in the supply chain that will benefit everyone, so I look forward to using my role to deliver just that.”