Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is delighted to announce that Lord Walker of Broxton
OBE, Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods and Chairman of the Iceland Foods
Charitable Foundation, will be the special guest at its upcoming Supporters Lunch.
The exclusive event, taking place on Thursday 1 October 2026 from 1.00pm to 3.00pm,
will see Lord Walker join local business leaders, supporters and partners for a special Q&A
session.
Hosted by Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen
Council, the event will provide guests with the opportunity to hear directly from one of the
UK’s leading business figures.
Lord Walker will share his personal journey from starting on the shop floor at Iceland Foods
to becoming Executive Chairman of one of the UK’s best-known retailers. He will also
discuss his work championing sustainability, his charitable interests and the importance of
business giving back to local communities.
Richard Walker joined Iceland Foods in 2012 and went on to become Managing Director in
2018 before being appointed Executive Chairman in 2023. He is widely recognised for
driving Iceland’s sustainability agenda and has played a leading role in supporting charitable
and environmental causes.
Lord Walker was awarded an OBE in 2022 and became Lord Walker of Broxton in 2026.
Alongside his business career, he is Chairman of the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation
and has supported a range of charitable causes, including raising £1 million for Rare
Dementia Support following his climb of Mount Everest.
Leon Crosby, CEO at Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Lord Walker of Broxton OBE to Blackburn &
Darwen Youth Zone. His journey from the shop floor to leading one of the UK’s
best-known businesses is an incredibly inspiring story, and his commitment to
sustainability and charitable giving makes him a fantastic guest for our supporters and
the wider business community.
This event is an opportunity to bring together our Patron network, local businesses
and community leaders, while also showcasing the vital impact that Blackburn &
Darwen Youth Zone has on thousands of young people across our community.”
The Supporters Lunch will also provide an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the
work of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone and the important role that businesses, Patrons
and supporters play in ensuring young people have access to opportunities, support and
safe spaces.
The event is open to the wider local business community and will include a complimentary
lunch.
If you are interested in attending, please contact melanie.thomas@blackburnyz.org
The Supporters Lunch will take place on Thursday 1 October 2026, from 1.00pm to
3.00pm, with a special Q&A with Lord Walker of Broxton.