SAAFoST Presents  ·  2026 FMCG — The Future of Leadership
The Future of Leadership

Two days for FMCG leaders and future leaders to learn, connect, reflect — and walk away with practical tools for leading better in a changing industry.

27–28 August 2026 National Research Foundation · Pretoria Leadership Summit
Reserve Your Seat Explore the Programme Limited delegate passes · 2026 cohort
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The Summit

Leaders are forged,
not born.

FMCG: The Future of Leadership is SAAFoST's gathering for the people moving our industry forward — and the leaders coming up behind them.

Whether you lead a category, manufacturing facility, research lab or a start-up, join fellow innovators to gain practical insights, forge valuable partnerships, and equip yourself to overcome obstacles and reach new summits of success.

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Days
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Industry speakers
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Sessions
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Cocktail evening

This summit was built around three questions many FMCG leaders are already asking:

Now

What leadership skills do I need right now to lead well in this industry?

Future

What skills will I need as AI, digital tools and new generations change the way work gets done?

Next Gen

How do I spot, grow and keep the next generation of FMCG leaders before they walk out the door?

Why Attend

Four reasons
to attend.

01

Smart tools for real growth

Frameworks and practical tools you can take back into your team and use on Monday.

02

AI × FMCG: A practical partnership

Understand how artificial intelligence is changing product development, supply chains, teams and decision-making — and how to use it responsibly.

03

Lead the future

Build the leadership skills FMCG will need next: clarity, courage, adaptability and the ability to lead people through change.

04

Real leadership stories

Hear from leaders who have built teams, grown businesses, faced pressure and learned through the leadership journey.

The Line-Up

Speakers leading the conversation.

From retail, manufacturing and R&D to AI, food safety and the next generation — meet the leaders shaping the conversation.

Gary Coulson

Gary Coulson

Formulation Creations
Innovation & business growth
Jana Schreuder

Jana Schreuder

Stellenbosch · IFT
Leading the next generation
Dr Jeanine Kriek

Dr Jeanine Kriek

SENCORE
Sensory & consumer insight
Khanya Matlala

Khanya Matlala

Mindful Impact
People, culture & burnout
Lindiwe Stacey

Lindiwe Stacey

Executive Leadership Coach
Leadership & conflict management
Lorraine Makhura

Lorraine Makhura

McCain · SPEAK LIFE
Women in leadership
Mandla Nkomo

Mandla Nkomo

Partners in Food Solutions
Leading across Africa
Nandha Govender

Nandha Govender

Eskom
Leading under pressure
Ntando Ngubane

Ntando Ngubane

McCormick
Psychological safety & the summit within
Ralf Schulz

Ralf Schulz

Schulz Attorneys
Governance & business leadership
Randall Peters

Randall Peters

PepsiCo
Innovation that matters
Prof Riëtte de Kock

Prof Riëtte de Kock

Univ. of Pretoria
Sensory science & academic leadership
Prof Ryk Lues

Prof Ryk Lues

Food Safety Culture
Leading from the front
NT

Nolo Thobejane

KFC
Chief People, Culture & Purpose Officer
The Programme

Two days, one leadership journey.

Two themed days of keynotes, conversations and connection. Here's how it all unfolds.

Leadership for now and what comes next

08:30

Registration & welcome coffee

Arrive, collect your delegate pack and connect with other delegates.
09:00

Opening & future leadership keynote

Setting the scene for leadership in a changing FMCG industry.
10:00

Leading the next generation

A practical look at attracting, growing and keeping young technical talent.
10:45

Leadership lessons from real journeys

Stories and lessons from leaders who have built, led, adapted and learned along the way.
11:30

Morning break & conversation stations

Time to connect, reflect and join focused conversations.
12:15

Innovation, growth & business leadership

Lessons from building businesses, leading change and staying relevant in a fast-moving market.
13:00

Lunch & networking

Informal networking and conversation stations.
14:00

Leading in high-pressure FMCG environments

Practical tools for leading teams in operational, technical and manufacturing spaces.
14:45

Food safety, culture & leadership

Why leadership matters in building strong food safety cultures.
15:30

Afternoon break & conversation stations

Time to recharge and keep the conversation going.
16:00

Leading across Africa & beyond

What it takes to lead in broader markets, multinational spaces and complex environments.
17:00

Closing reflection

A final leadership story and key takeaways from the day.
18:00

Cocktail evening

Networking, connection and informal conversations.

People, culture and future skills

08:00

Conversation stations open

Start the day with focused conversations and networking.
09:00

Leadership skills that matter

A keynote session on the leadership skills needed for the future.
09:30

Lessons from retail leadership

A facilitated conversation on people, culture, customers and leadership in retail and FMCG.
10:30

Morning break & conversation stations

Time to connect and reflect.
10:45

People, culture & purpose

What is burning people out, what keeps people engaged, and how leaders can build healthier teams.
11:15

Crisis, change & practical leadership tools

Moving from firefighting to more proactive and confident leadership.
11:45

The human side of AI

Why human leadership still matters in a world of AI and digital tools.
12:15

Reflections & next steps

One simple action to take back into the workplace.
12:30

Lunch & final conversations

Informal networking to close the summit.
The Venue

Where it all happens.

National Research Foundation
Getting There

National Research Foundation

Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria
Pretoria, Gauteng · South Africa

On-site parking

Complimentary secure parking for all delegates.

40 min from OR Tambo

Easy reach from Johannesburg & Pretoria CBD.

Partner hotels nearby

Discounted delegate rates at selected hotels.

Our Sponsors

Backed by industry leaders.

Proudly supported by the organisations shaping the future of FMCG.

Register

Your seat at the summit
is waiting.

Join South Africa's FMCG leaders for two days of smart tools, real growth and the future of leadership.

Register on GlueUp
Full 2-day access Food, beverages & cocktail event Delegate networking