Lord Walker of Broxton to speak at Youth Zone supporters lunch 

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone has announced Lord Walker of Broxton, 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, on Thursday 1 October 2026 from 1pm to 3pm, 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. 

Lord 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. 

He 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 £1m for Rare Dementia Support following his climb of Mount Everest. 

Leon Crosby, CEO at Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, said: "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 [email protected]