20 Minutes With… David Walker

In this episode, Eimear Andersen is joined by David Walker, tech and data specialist and CCO of Cerve. David is helping the food and drink industry unlock the power of real-time insights – cutting waste, saving costs and reimagining how supply chains operate.

David explains how APIs – the digital “pipes” that allow data to flow seamlessly between systems – are transforming purchasing, selling and compliance for wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers and operators. By replacing outdated manual processes with accurate, automated data, businesses can free up people, reduce errors and focus on growth.

He shares how smarter data use can:

reduce food waste by giving startups and operators better visibility of stock and supply

cut costs and redeploy teams into value-adding roles

speed up promotions and increase turnover through real-time insights

lay the essential foundations for the future use of AI in the industry

David also demystifies AI for food businesses, emphasising that “perfect, accurate data must come before AI”. He offers practical advice on how businesses can start small – by mapping their current processes and using simple tools – before diving into more complex strategies.

Looking ahead, he predicts a revolutionary shift: manual tasks replaced by AI agents, admin teams evolving into growth-focused roles and data seamlessly connecting the entire food system from farm to fork. His closing advice to industry leaders: don’t chase shiny solutions – take stock, review where you are and build carefully towards “food 2.0.”

A fascinating conversation that highlights the scale of opportunity – and the urgency – for food and drink businesses to embrace data and technology.

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