Day 1 - 3 June 2026
09.00 – Registration & networking
09.45 – Welcome address – Nigel Baker, CEO, Pet Industry Federation
Morning Sessions
The 2026 Cost Crunch and How to Survive it
Running a pet business in 2026 means navigating a unique set of financial pressures. From the recent National Insurance hikes and the end of business rate reliefs to the fluctuating cost of goods, the “standard” way of doing business has changed.
This opening panel discussion brings together industry leaders for a honest discussion on how they are balancing these rising costs while staying competitive. We’ll move past the headlines to talk about the practical realities of managing the tax landscape, staying affordable in a price-sensitive market, and the strategic pivots required to keep an SME resilient.
This is a frank exchange of ideas on how to secure your business’s future and set a sustainable pace for the year ahead.
Panellists include:
Joanna Boughton White Msc, Managing Director, Dorwest
Jo Moorcroft & Vicky Davies, Co-founders of Canine Business Academy
Darron Burness, Co-founder of Beacon Barkers
Host: Clayton Payne, Founder of Pet Business Disruptors Podcast
Further panellists to be announced.
How to Achieve Prompt Payments for Your Business
Emma Jones, Small Business Commissioner
Late payments are more than just a nuisance. They stall your growth and create unnecessary stress. With new 2026 regulations now in place, including a 60-day payment cap and mandatory interest on overdue invoices, the landscape is finally shifting in favour of smaller businesses.
The UK Small Business Commissioner joins us to explain how these changes work in practice and how you can use them to secure more reliable cash flow. This is a rare opportunity to move past the policy and ask the questions that matter to you. If you are chasing a specific debt or struggling with a difficult contract, come prepared to get direct advice on getting paid what you are owed.
The Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) is an independent public body set up by Government under the Enterprise Act 2016 to tackle late payment and unfavourable payment practices in the private sector.
The Unfair Advantage of SMEs
Martin Spiller. Combining numbers with strategy and the odd sarcastic truth to help SMEs and venture backed businesses grow.
Martin Spiller makes a welcome return to the Business of Pets stage. As the Managing Director at Palladin Partners and a former Senior Lecturer at Cranfield, Martin is known for delivering high-energy sessions that provide a genuine “lightbulb moment” for founders. This talk flips the traditional view of business growth on its head, exploring why being small is actually your greatest competitive edge. Martin will explain how SMEs can out-manoeuvre corporate giants by moving at a speed big businesses simply can’t match and using authentic storytelling to win where massive marketing budgets fail. You will also look at how a genuine company culture and the smart use of data can become your secret weapons for keeping talent and making faster, sharper decisions. It is a masterclass in using your agility to disrupt the market and win on your own terms.
Lunch and networking
Worldpay Experience Zone
During lunch breaks on both days, Worldpay will be offering delegates the chance to test and try out their latest payment solutions. Visit the Worldpay Experience Zone to explore the solutions designed to streamline your payment processes and enhance your business operations.
Export Surgery with Bob Hanson
Navigating international trade can be complex, which is why Bob Hanson from Pets Around the World is hosting a dedicated 30-minute export surgery during the lunch break.
This is an informal opportunity to drop in and discuss your specific export queries with an industry expert. Whether you are looking to enter new territories or need guidance on compliance, Bob will be on hand to offer practical advice and help you identify the next steps for your business.
Join Bob in the networking area during the extended lunch break.
Afternoon Sessions
Innovation Pitches
A showcase of cutting-edge ideas shaping the future of the pet industry. On both days, seven selected finalists will present their latest innovations in 10-minute pitches, covering product, tech, or service. After each presentation, the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and vote for their favourite innovation. This is your chance to see what’s new, meet the founders pushing the boundaries of pet care, and get an exclusive first look at the next big thing in the pet industry.
Finalists presenting on Wednesday:
- Marine Kind
- Pawdaw of London
- UK LitPet Biotech Co Ltd
- Scamp and Paw Ltd
- My Licensed Breeder Ltd
- Petosu Ltd
- The Dog Trainer School
Refreshments and networking
From Founder to CEO. The systems and mindset required for scaling a business
Emma Barnes, Managing Director, Vetpreneur | MD, Agilio Software (Veterinary Division)
Many pet business owners find themselves stuck in a trap where they are working in the business so much that they have no time to work on it. To scale successfully, you must transition from the person who does everything to the leader who builds the systems that do it for you.
Emma Barnes brings a wealth of experience to this session after helping scale the Linnaeus Group from eight practices to over 150. She will share the practical frameworks and mindset shifts needed to move beyond day to day operations and focus on long term growth. You will learn how to build high performing teams, implement scalable systems, and develop the CEO perspective required to take your business to the next level. This is an essential session for any founder ready to stop being the bottleneck and start building a business that thrives.
Combining Creativity & Performance to Grow Smaller Brands
Jake Parry, Digital Director & Liz Stout, Communications Director, Nobull
In today’s crowded pet industry, small brands can’t outspend the sector’s biggest players – but they can outthink, outconnect and outperform them. In this session, Nobull explores how challenger brands can unlock growth by combining creative storytelling with performance marketing to build stronger brand and drive measurable commercial results. From brand identity and websites to social media, influencers and customer experience, the most successful small brands understand that creativity and performance are not separate strategies – they work best together.
Our presentation will explore how small pet brands can activate smart creative thinking, consistent brand storytelling alongside performance data-driven strategy to have a better chance of competing and winning in an increasingly competitive market of big players.
Now Digital Director at Nobull, Jake Parry was a former Commercial Director at MailOnline for 10 years, where Nobull Comms Director, Liz Stout, was also part of MailOnline’s launch editorial team.
18.00 – Close
19.00 – Networking BBQ
Day 2 - 4 June 2026
09.15 – Welcome
Morning Sessions
State of the Nation Report on UK pet spend
Veena Venkatesan & Carol Ratcliffe, NielsenIQ
Day two begins with an exclusive deep dive into the latest data from NielsenIQ. As the industry moves through a decisive turning point, understanding exactly where pet owners are spending their money is critical for any business looking to stay ahead. This session provides a comprehensive report by breaking down the shifts in actual consumer behaviour over the last year. We will look at the tension between premium preferences and price sensitivity, exploring how households are prioritising their pets’ needs within the wider cost of living landscape.
Leveraging your brand for investment or sale in the world of AI
Stephen Taylor, Venturebrand. Advisory / Fractional CMO | Clarifying strategy and driving growth | Former CMO: P&G, PayPal, Samsung, Nokia
AI has the potential to remove almost every operational advantage you’ve built — sourcing, content, performance marketing, customer service. The only asset left that defends margin and earns a premium at exit is how a pet owner feels about your brand. Stephen takes founders through the four questions that decide whether your brand survives the AI flatten. Anchored in three decades of building brands across sectors and PE operational experience. The session ends with two live tests of where your business stands right now.
You will leave with: a clear view of why brand strength is now the dominant driver of exit multiples in pet; the four questions every founder needs to answer before going to market; and a live read on your own brand clarity and AI maturity.
Innovations pitches from the 2026 Finalists
The final seven finalists in PIF’s Innovation Award will be delivering their pitches:
- Pet Attix
- A Dog Person LTD
- HayPigs!®
- Astbry Ltd
- WildWash C/O Pet revolution Limited
- Only Rescues
- Dignipets Limited
The Consumer Sentiment and Spend Outlook for 2026
Sam Farnfield, Strategy & Value Creation Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PwC joins us to provide a forward-looking perspective on the British consumer. While current till data shows us the past, this presentation focuses on future intent, underpinned by a 2026 consumer survey. PwC will explore the drivers behind current spending habits, identifying which pet categories are seen as “essential” versus “discretionary” in the eyes of the public. This session offers a vital outlook on how consumer confidence is likely to evolve throughout the year, helping you to align your product development and marketing strategies with the predicted shifts in the UK’s spending appetite.
Lunch and Networking
Your Hiring Process Is Your Brand: How Candidate Experience & EVP Shape Reputation in the Pet Industry
Chris Whatling, MD & Co-Founder, Animal People Recruitment Company
This session moves the recruitment conversation away from just “filling roles” and into the territory of brand reputation. The Animal People Recruitment Company will explore why your hiring process is often the first and most lasting impression a professional has of your business. In a competitive market, your Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and the experience you provide to candidates are just as important as the products and services you sell. This talk will explain how a seamless, respectful, and transparent recruitment journey can strengthen your brand, while a poor one can quietly damage your standing in the industry. You will leave with a clear understanding of how to treat every applicant as a potential brand ambassador to help you attract and retain the best talent in the pet sector.
Breakout Sessions. Choose one session to attend.
Meeting Room 13
How consumers are now searching in the era of AI. An introduction to Generative Engine Optimisation
The way people search is changing. Instead of typing queries into Google, more and more are turning to ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for recommendations and answers. For brands, that shift creates a new visibility challenge, one that traditional SEO isn’t built to solve.
This session introduces Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO): what it is, why it matters now, and what pet industry businesses can do to start showing up in AI-generated answers.
You’ll leave with:
A clear picture of how AI search differs from conventional search engines
An understanding of GEO and how it sits alongside your existing SEO activity
Practical steps to improve your brand’s chances of appearing in AI responses
Real-world examples of brands already building visibility in this space
A starting point if you want to get ahead before this becomes mainstream
If search plays any role in how your customers find you, this session is worth your time.
Hosted by Ricky Solanki, Co-Founder, Push
Meeting Room 14
Investor-Ready: The M&A Market, Navigating the Sales Process, and Key Investor Challenges
Securing investment or preparing for a sale requires more than a strong growth story. It demands rigorous preparation, clear positioning, and the ability to respond confidently under scrutiny. This session will demystify the sales process and equip founders and management teams with a practical understanding of what investors are really looking for.
We will provide an overview of the current M&A landscape in the pet sector, including key trends shaping buyer appetite and valuation. The session will explore the main areas of focus across financial and commercial due diligence, highlighting common pressure points that can delay or derail a transaction. Attendees will gain insight into how to anticipate investor questions, present information effectively, and maintain momentum throughout the deal process.
Designed for businesses at any stage of their investment journey, this session will offer actionable guidance on how to become truly investor-ready – reducing risk, strengthening your narrative, and maximising value in a competitive market.
Hosted by Phoebe Groves , Consumer Corporate Finance Associate Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
Cyber Security: Why smaller businesses are a big target
National Cyber Resilience Centre Group
We close the 2026 conference by addressing one of the most significant, yet often overlooked, risks to the pet sector. In an increasingly digital world, smaller businesses are often viewed as “soft targets” by cybercriminals precisely because they lack the massive security departments of global corporations. This final session will break down the evolving threats facing pet SMEs today, from sophisticated phishing to data breaches that can compromise customer trust. We will be joined by an expert to discuss the simple, cost effective steps you can take to shield your business, protect your data, and ensure your digital infrastructure is as resilient as your brand. It is an essential briefing for any founder responsible for safeguarding their company’s digital future.
16.15 – Innovation award presentation and closing remarks
We’re continuing to build an exciting speaker lineup for the Business of Pets conference 2026. More expert speakers and panellists will be announced soon.
There is so much to learn at the conference with two full days dedicated to helping your pet business grow. Tickets are limited so don’t miss this unrivalled opportunity to learn, network and grow.
So, if you are a business owner, director, investor, consultant or simply looking to build your brand, book your tickets now.
