FEA | Putting Members First

As we approach the 2026/27 membership renewal period, the Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA) is proud to reflect on a year of significant growth, influence, and tangible benefits delivered directly to you, our valued members.

We haven't just been busy; we've been effective. Our mission remains steadfast: to be the authoritative voice, the essential resource, and the collaborative hub for the entire foodservice supply chain. Whether you're an existing member looking to leverage your benefits further, or a business considering joining our dynamic community, this past year demonstrates the power of unity and the compelling ROI of FEA membership.

Strength in Numbers: Building a Connected and Influential Community

We haven't just been busy; we've been effective. Our mission remains steadfast: to be the authoritative voice, the essential resource, and the collaborative hub for the entire foodservice supply chain. Whether you're an existing member looking to leverage your benefits further, or a business considering joining our dynamic community, this past year demonstrates the power of unity and the compelling ROI of FEA membership.

Uniting the Industry

In 2025/26, we saw an expanded membership across all sectors, including distributors, consultants, light equipment, Fats Oils and Grease equipment suppliers, ventilation, and cooking & warming, resulting in a robust 10% growth. This growth amplifies our collective voice and ensures broad representation.

High-Impact Events and Networking

Our events are not just gatherings; they are platforms for progress:

• Annual Conference: The ultimate forum for Community & Safety in numbers, providing deep industry insights and a crucial space for cross-sector collaboration. (Maybe expand on this and include some conference highlights - speakers and numbers)
• Product Group Forum Connections: Our Product Group Forum objectives have driven high-level, targeted networking, ensuring our members are connected to key decision-makers and collaborators. (Could reach out to Luke for some specific examples)
• FEA Member Spotlight Zone at HRC: Members gained significant brand exposure and market gravitas, including the valuable HRC Exhibiting Member Rebate, and preferential rate as part of the FEA Member Spotlight Zone providing a cost-effective entry point to the show, ensuring high-profile routes to market.
• Tabletop Trends Live: a brand-new event for the Light Equipment and Tableware group hosted in central London.
• Light Equipment and Tableware Forum: This year was/is our biggest yet with 23 suppliers showcasing their product innovations. Distributors get to sample and experience the best tabletop products from FEA members in an immersive event hosted over a day and a half at the Oxford Belfry Hotel. 

The Voice of Authority: Technical and Policy Excellence

In a complex regulatory environment, having expert guidance on call is priceless. Our Technical & Policy (T&P) work is unmatched:

• Expertise on Call: Members received early access, insight, notification and compliance via targeted Technical and Policy updates and technical bulletins, providing a crucial time saving and first mover advantage.
• Shaping the Future: Members actively shape best practices and standards-setting, feeding directly into the standards community and ensuring regulations are practical and fair for our industry through active Product Group Forum involvement.
• Navigating the Carbon Landscape Tour: launched with a sold-out panel session at November’s FEA Industry Conference. The tour then progressed around the county, North (Victor), Midlands (Parts Town), and South (Meiko) with an in-depth presentation that covered the Policy, Pressure and Potential in navigating the carbon landscape for the Foodservice Equipment Industry businesses. These sessions were hosted exclusively for FEA members and proved to be extremely popular. The presentation from the tour is available on the FEA’s Embodied Carbon Hub.
• Key Collaborations: We've strengthened our impact through collaborations with critical bodies, including EURIS, DBT, UK Hospitality, the Foodservice Standards Agency, and Unifrog. We are also working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Investing in People: Developing the Future Workforce

Investing in skills is investing in your business's future. FEA membership provides exclusive, industry-leading learning and development opportunities:

• Core Qualifications: Access to discounted rates for essential courses like Certified Food Service Professional, Principles of Food Service, and Foodservice Carbon Professional —the qualifications that educate your workforce and raise industry standards.
• NextGen Initiative: Another initiative launched at November’s FEA Industry Conference. Our programme is actively developing the future of the industry, ensuring a pipeline of talent and innovation with an expert leadership team, NextGen Mentors, and ambassadors. The aim of NextGen is to empower, support, and inspire the next generation of hospitality professionals providing a voice and influence in shaping the future of the sector. As part of the scheme FEA are developing a regional masterclass programme, open to all FEA members. More information about NextGen can be found on the NextGen hub.

New Training Initiatives Coming Soon: We are committed to continuous development with new programmes on the horizon, including:

• Fats, Oils, Grease and Starch (FOGs) Training
• Navigating Carbon Landscape Tour – more dates and venues to be announced
• Service Technician Days focused on immediate, practical skills

Driving Business Value: Tangible Support and ROI

We understand that membership must deliver a clear return on investment (ROI). Our business support services are designed to save you time and money:

Don't Miss Out: The Value of Being an FEA Member

For businesses not currently part of the FEA, you are missing out on essential market data, direct routes to policy influence, discounted access to industry-defining training, and the immense networking power of a 10% growing collective.

We listened to your feedback (You Spoke, We Listened), including important adjustments based on HRC feedback and PGF meeting outcomes, demonstrating our commitment to being member-led.

FEA members can fill in their Annual Member Data Return survey here, and let us know what areas would you like the FEA to focus on, and provide any further comments or suggestions as how we are performing.