The Plant-Based Revolution: Exploring the Future of Food, Policy & Justice – Recap – 12th November 2025

On 12th November 2025 we were at The Conduit for a lively World Vegan Month panel where ethics, innovation & justice could grow together. We discussed shaping the future of food & driving change.

The food system is changing — but how fast, and in what direction? The Plant-Based Revolution brought together four  visionary women in the food industry who led a conversation on ethics, sustainability, and food justice to explore what the future of our plates — and our planet — might look like.

It was an opportunity to join Emilia A. Leese, Claire Ogley, Sarah Bentley & Roshni Shah for a thought-provoking discussion at The Conduit that went beyond labels to ask the big questions.

This was more than a conversation about diet — it was a deep dive into how culture, politics, and compassion intersect in shaping the future of food.

Featuring:

• Emilia A. Leese – Author of Think Like a Vegan, re-wilder, and host of the Think Like a Vegan podcast
• Claire Ogley – Head of Campaigns, Policy and Research, The Vegan Society
• Sarah Bentley – Author of We Cook Plants, campaigner, and founder at large of plant-based community cookery school and charity Made In Hackney
• Roshni Shah – Freelance specialist in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion
• Moderated by Mex Ibrahim – co-founder of Women In The Food Industry

There were fresh insights, and the inspiration to help drive the next chapter of the plant-based movement.

AGENDA

6:00pm: Pre-event networking and Eventbrite ticket holders enjoyed a free welcome drink from the bar courtesy of Women In The Food Industry

6:30pm: Panel discussion

8:00pm: More networking, book signings and a cash bar was available

Meet our panellists

Emilia A. Leese is an author, re-wilder, and podcast host exploring the intersections of ethics, food, and our relationship with the natural world. After a twenty-year career as a corporate finance lawyer, she now channels her strategic insight into vegan advocacy and ecological restoration. She is the co-author of Think Like a Vegan and hosts the podcast of the same name. She edits a magazine and splits her time between London and the Scottish Highlands. Find her work at EmiliaLeese.com and the award-winning BirchfieldHighlands.org.

Claire Ogley is an experienced public affairs, policy and communications professional, working as the Head of Campaigns, Policy and Research for The Vegan Society in the United Kingdom in order to accelerate the vegan movement and achieve its strategic goals. She has a background in political consulting and can talk about anything related to vegan issues in Parliament, Government or about our campaigns.

Sarah Bentley is an author, podcast host, campaigner, key note speaker and founder of plant-based community cookery school and charity Made In Hackney. She was recently described as a ‘global plant-based movement leader’ but is a bit bashful about that title! Via her work at Made In Hackney she co-led a team that upskilled and inspired over half a million people to cook, grow and eat more plants winning awards for diversity and inclusion, food education and leadership.

Today she no longer works at Made In Hackney but is a proud ambassador for the charity and author of their debut food justice cook book We Cook Plants. She now spends her days homeschooling her PDA autistic son, teaching SEN students food growing, and working part-time as a Campaign Manager at Plant-Based Health Professionals UK managing the Plants First Initiative which supports healthcare settings to adopt a plant-rich food culture.

Roshni Shah is a freelance specialist in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. With 11+ years in sustainable food and community spaces, she has experience of food justice issues from grassroots to systems level. She is skilled in movement building, having led anti-racism efforts at Sustain and a national programme, Plant Prospects at Made in Hackney.

Moderated by

Mex Ibrahim is passionate about gender equality, co-founding Women in the Food Industry in 2019. The organization supports women across the food sector, advocating for equality, inclusion, and leadership opportunities, and empowering women to achieve their career goals in the industry. It became a non-profit social enterprise in 2023.

With expertise in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and ethical eating, Mex is a trustee of the charity School Food Matters, a member of the Guild of Food Writers, sits on the advisory board of New Food Magazine, is an associate of the Royal Society of Public Health and was recently awarded Best DEI Champion in the Specialty & Fine Food Fair Awards. Mex also runs her own successful freelance business in social media, content creation, and digital strategy.

The Plant-Based Revolution dives into the intersection of veganism, policy, and food justice. With powerful voices from across advocacy, community, and culture, this discussion unpacked how to shift narratives, influence systems, and build a fairer, greener future for all.

As well as enjoying the panel and networking, guests were able able to buy signed copies of Think Like a Vegan by Emilia A Leese and We Cook Plants by Sarah Bentley.