Gurdeep Loyal is a food innovator, trend forecaster & brand marketing expert – dedicated to inspiring growth for brands, retailers and hospitality groups through a creative disruptor mindset.
He has spent over 20 years driving strategic growth for some of the UK - and world’s - most well-loved food and drink brands, spanning from FMCGs, through to luxury retailers, supermarkets and hospitality sectors.
He began his career at Accenture before joining Innocent Drinks, where he helped shape the brand’s pioneering approach to innovation, brand building and communication. After this, he was Head of Marketing & PR for Food, Restaurants, Wines & Spirits at Harrods’ Foods Halls – and one of the strategic instigators behind The Taste Revolution redevelopment of the world-famous food halls and restaurants.
Subsequently, he was Head of Future Food Trends for Marks & Spencer Food - a senior leader within the NPD Innovation Team, responsible for leading the long-term strategic product vision and direction across all categories.
Today, he advises celebrated challenger brands, FMCGs, retailers, restaurants and culinary entrepreneurs as an independent consultant – and has delivered bespoke projects for clients across food and drink including Harvey Nichols, Co-Op, Pinterest, Belvoir Drinks & Unilever.
He is also an award-winning food, culinary travel and gourmet trends writer - contributing regularly to publications including Guardian Feast, The Independent, Conde Nast, Waitrose Magazine, Borough Market and Olive. He is the author of two cookbooks - including his latest Flavour Heroes - and is a frequent guest on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen.
