Laura Hadland is a drinks writer who champions small producers and venues. Perhaps best known for her work on beer (including low and no alcohol), her book 50 Years of CAMRA was named the Best Beer Book in the World at the 2022 Gourmand Awards.

Neil Walker is a beer sommelier and head of communications and marketing at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). It was established in 1980 to represent the interests of the growing number of independent breweries in Britain and currently represents around 750 independent craft breweries.

Professor Ignazio Cabras is the head of the accounting and financial management department at Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University. His research interests are focused on economics and the environment, with particular emphasis on regional growth and development, public sector management, employment issues, urban-rural dynamics, sustainability, community cohesion and social capital, industry and innovation, knowledge economies, and ICT. He has published more than 60 works, including journal articles, books, and research reports.

Ellen Manning is a freelance journalist specialising in food and drink. She is a former chief reporter at the Press Association and now writes for national newspapers and magazines, as well as writing the award-winning food blog Eat with Ellen. She loves the stories behind food and how it affects and reflects our culture, and when she’s not writing about food, you’ll most likely find her eating it somewhere in the UK or further afield.