In our Speaker Spotlight series, get to know our speakers before you see them. Find out what trends Patrick Holford – Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of Food for the Brain Foundation and Author, predicts this year, who they admire in the industry, and why you should attend their session at Natural & Organic Products Expo this April.
What do you see as key trends for natural & organic in the coming year?
Brain health. Not only are all mental health problems, from ADHD and Autism to dementia to depression, increasing but people are becoming much more aware and concerned about their mental health.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your role and the most challenging?
We get so many reports from people transforming their memory, mood and mental health. I hope my new book Upgrade Your Brain, will help reach thousands of more people. Through we’ve helped close to half a million who have done the free Cognitive Function Test we really struggle to get funds and are largely supported by Friends who give £50 a year.
Can you give us an example of what your business is doing to become even more sustainable
Sustainable should be expanded to include ’sustainable health’. Our charity foodforthebrain.org is totally promoting sustainable health by focusing 100% on prevention. Also, we all work virtually and electronically, so very little waste of paper and space.
What one person or business in the natural & organic industry do you really admire and why?
Cheryl Thallon, MD of Viridian, committed to supporting the independent health food stores and has stuck to her guns.
How important is Natural & Organic Products Expo trade show to the you/industry?
NOPEX is a landmark in the calendar, inspiring a burst of new product creativity and an opportunity for the whole industry touch base, get inspired and take that knowledge, and new products, back to customers.
Why should visitors attend your session at the show?
I’ve spent the last five years study with world leading experts on mental health and put all the pieces together in this talk. it will really give you a quantum leap in your understanding of how to help people towards a brain upgrade.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given.
Take your supplements every day.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know:
I’m 65 and have just qualified as a Paraglider Pilot. Also, we are now growing all our own food organically, zero dig, at our retreat centre in the Black Mountains of Wales.
See Patrick Holford’s session ‘The Four Horsemen of the Mental Health Apocalypse’ at 15.15 – 15.45 on Sunday 14 April. Register for a trade ticket here.
