LAMMA Speed Networking

Written by Becky Erskine

Reflections on the Women in Food and Farming (WIFF) Networking Event.

I had a fantastic afternoon networking at the LAMMA show, at an event seamlessly organised by Clare Otridge. It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout, featuring a vibrant mix of first-time attendees and familiar faces catching up after the Christmas break. The atmosphere, as always, was incredibly welcoming.

This event highlighted the vital role of networking in empowering women across the food and farming sectors—particularly for those who may feel their voices are sometimes overshadowed in the wider industry.

The "speed dating" format was a particular highlight. It moved beyond perfunctory small talk, encouraging us to listen intently and engage deeply. We quickly dug into each other's backgrounds, forming meaningful connections in a short space of time. It was truly inspiring to hear everyone cheering each other on and celebrating one another's professional and also personal successes.

The unanimous takeaway from the session was clear: there is an incredible, shared passion for driving positive change in UK agriculture and beyond.

Thank you to Women in Food and Farming (WIFF) for hosting such a high-impact session. Having this event scheduled during the working day at LAMMA was an efficient use of time and undoubtedly a highlight of the show for me.