Food & Drink Conference 2025 Speakers

Charles Livingstone

Partner, Brodies LLP

Charles heads up Brodies' cross-practice food & drink sector group. He leads Brodies' competition law practice, supporting clients on sensitive and strategically important matters including obtaining merger clearance for major M&A projects, investigating potential competition breaches, responding to dawn raids and acting in competition litigation. He also advises private and public sector clients on State aid and public procurement, in both contentious and non-contentious scenarios.

Charles also supports commercial, public sector, charitable and individual clients on public law issues including judicial review, human rights, information law, charity law and public authority powers and duties. He advises clients on constitutional matters, such as the limits on the Scottish Parliament’s powers, and is the co-head of Brodies' Brexit Advisory Group. He also has significant experience of drafting legislation, including Acts of the Scottish Parliament. Charles is an experienced litigator, having handled major cases in courts up to the UK Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Conrad Reyners

Global Regulatory & Government Affairs Counsel, Red Bull

Conrad Reyners is the Global Regulatory & Government Affairs Counsel for Red Bull GmbH. 

Starting his journey with Red Bull in Asia Pacific, Conrad has led regulatory and policy change in major markets such as China, Japan, India, Latin America, the United Kingdom and the European Union. 

In his global role he collaborates with international colleagues on food regulatory and policy issues around the world. Conrad is a practicing lawyer, admitted to the High Court of New Zealand and the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Stuart Common

Managing Director, Mackie's

Stuart Common is Managing Director at Mackie’s of Scotland, most famous for their luxury ice cream and premium chocolate bars. His role sees him lead all aspects of the day to day running of the business and the strategic growth plans for the years ahead.

Stuart’s previous positions in the company had him focus much of his time on the commercial functions, including time as Sales & Marketing Director, having originally joined the company on a university placement.

Externally he sits on the Opportunity North East Food, Drink & Agriculture Board and is also a member of the Board of Developing the Young Workforce North East.

Nicola Aitchison

Head of Legal, Estate Brands, The Famous Grouse & Global Supply Chain, Edrington

Nicola Aitchison is Head of Legal at Edrington and advises the business on a wide range of commercial and legal issues. Nicola is focussed on supporting Edrington achieve its commercial goals and strategy while taking a balanced approach to managing legal risk.

Edrington’s vision is to give more by crafting exceptional ultra-premium spirit brands. The Macallan is the central focus, supported by Highland Park and The Glenrothes in the fast-growing single malt category and Naked Malt in the blended malt category. The portfolio is completed with Brugal premium rum from the Dominican Republic, The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky and Wyoming Whiskey in the American Whiskey category. Edrington also has a strategic partnership with No.3 London Dry Gin.

Paddy Fletcher

Co-founder and Co-CEO, Muckle Brig

After a short stint as a financial journalist, Paddy switched careers into finance, training as an accountant in London. After a spell working for a major house builder, he entered the world of start-ups working for high growth, VC-backed tech companies. His final role before going full-time on the distillery was as Finance Director EMEA at WeWork, during a time of extraordinary growth for the global co-working space start-up.