Allergy campaigner appointed as special diets ambassador for leading travel organisation

The founder of an award-winning, allergen-free food business is one of the key speakers at a leading global event for the airline and rail industry in Germany.

Surrey business woman and CEO of top 14 allergen-free brand Creative Nature Julianne Ponan MBE, has been appointed an Ambassador for Special Diets by the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo. She will be one of the speakers at their major annual event this week in Hamburg.

The three-day event, now in its 12th year, brings together buyers and suppliers of travel catering, in-journey retail and passenger comfort products from around the world. It hosts more than 250 exhibitors and attracts around 2,750 visitors.

Julianne, who founded her food brand Creative Nature through her own experiences and challenges living with allergies, will host a panel and talk about ‘why special diets are the way forward for airlines to increase customer loyalty’ in the Taste of Travel Theatre.

During the discussion, airlines will share the latest trends in special diet requests and in managing the top 14 allergens to promote greater guest inclusivity.

Julianne started making her own healthy snacks, aged 22, out of frustration at the lack of allergen-free snack products on the market that weren’t packed with additives.

She used superfood ingredients to improve the nutrient value and used her husband Matt, as a guinea-pig to get the flavours right. Julianne has life-threatening allergies and her business was built to cater for those with problems just like her.

Based in West Molesey, today Creative Nature offers bars, baking mixes, sweet treats and superfoods, which are free from the top 14 allergens and are vegan-friendly and nutritious.

Her products are now sold in supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Co-op and Ocado; High Street retailers like TK Maxx, online at The Vegan Store, Mighty Small and Holland & Barrett, as well as overseas across Europe, the Middle East, Far East, Australia and the USA.

She was awarded an MBE for her service to business, exports, and people with allergies in the 2023 New Year’s Honours’ List.

Speaking ahead of the event, the campaigner and speaker said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be an ambassador for special diets alongside a stellar ambassador team, all championing in their industries from sustainability, nutrition and beverages.”

Maria Harper, spokesperson for the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo said: “The WTCE’s goal is to consistently represent the trends, needs and opportunities in onboard experience, so we can support the industry to overcome challenges and ultimately drive passenger satisfaction.

“Catering for special diets and allergies is without doubt one of the most important topics for our attendees and for that reason we wanted to appoint an industry expert as an Ambassador for Special Diets to champion the topic and bring a new level of expert insight to the event.

“It’s been a wonderful experience working with her and a relationship we hope continues in the future.”

The discussion, featuring Julianne, will also include Audrey Hart, senior manager of food, beverages and ancillaries at Virgin Atlantic; Melanie Berry, director of customer experience at Iberia and Simone Walli, catering manager, culinary art and onboard service concepts at Austrian Airlines. This takes place between midday and 12.45pm on 29 May in the Taste of Travel theatre. Julianne and her colleague Joe Contomichalos will also be in the Ambassador Lounge on Stand 1A10. The event is free to attend and takes place at Hamburg Messe in Germany between Tuesday 28 May to Thursday 30 May.