Speakers include leaders from GAIL’s, Caravan, Hawksmoor and Michelin-starred chef Kenny Atkinson
Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB) and lunch! NORTH, have announced the first wave of headline speakers for their upcoming trade shows, taking place at Manchester Central on 10–11 March 2026.
The trade shows welcomed 12,000 visitors in 2025. NRB26 and lunch! NORTH will once again bring together hospitality operators, suppliers and industry leaders from across the North for two days of insight, collaboration and inspiration.
Among the first confirmed speakers for NRB26 is Kenny Atkinson, one of the UK’s most respected chefs. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Kenny is Chef Patron of Newcastle’s Michelin-starred House of Tides and Solstice by Kenny Atkinson, making him the only chef to hold Michelin stars for two restaurants in the city.
Taking to the Chef Live stage, Kenny will share insight into leadership, growth and maintaining excellence across multiple sites, drawing on his experience including appearances on Great British Menu and the continued success of his Newcastle restaurants and the opening of his new London project.
The NRB Keynote Theatre will also host senior leaders from some of the UK’s most recognisable hospitality brands. Laura Harper Hinton, co-founder & CEO of Caravan, will discuss the brand’s journey from its London roots to its Northern debut in Manchester, with a focus on sustainable practices, all-day dining and long-term growth.
Will Beckett, co-founder & CEO of Hawksmoor, will share insight into building a nationally recognised restaurant group, maintaining brand integrity at scale and navigating the challenges of modern hospitality, following Hawksmoor’s continued UK and international expansion.
Running alongside NRB, lunch! NORTH will feature its own programme of industry leaders from the café, coffee shop and food-to-go market. Among the first confirmed speakers is Nick Ayerst, Managing Director of GAIL’s, who will take part in a keynote interview on the second day of the show. Ayerst will discuss the brand’s continued expansion and growth strategy, with GAIL’s set to open up to 40 new sites in 2026.
The B Corp-certified bakery brand is widely recognised for its commitment to craft baking, sustainability and responsible growth.
The lunch! NORTH programme will also include Matt Farrell, Co-Founder of Bold Street Coffee, who will join the Coffee Shop Leaders Panel. Founded in Liverpool, Bold Street Coffee now operates six sites across Liverpool, Manchester and Derbyshire, with further expansion planned next year. Annabel Mackie, Marketing Director at itsu, will also join the line-up, sharing insight into how food-to-go brands can cut through in 2026 and beyond, as itsu continues to expand across the UK into new formats and locations.
“We’re excited to share this first wave of speakers for NRB26, which reflects the calibre of talent and leadership within the hospitality industry right now. With more names still to come, this year’s programme is shaping up to offer honest insight, practical learning and inspiration for operators navigating an evolving landscape,” said Group event director for NRB26 Chris Brazier.
Free tickets for trade professionals working in hospitality are available here.
