Karin Ridgers

Karin Ridgers

Radio presenter, journalist and PR expert

Karin is the founder of www.VeggieVision.TV – a vegan website with mini programmes, interviews, reviews of vegan products, recipes, competitions as well as its own dating site www.veggievisiondating.com.

Karin is thrilled to work closely with VegfestUK the biggest vegan festivals in Europe.

She is the VegfestUK ‘MC’. She gains VegfestUK and veganism a lot of media coverage and she encourages and arranges for media to attend the festivals too.

Karin introduces the speakers in the auditorium, she presents the awards and is the moderator for the debates which are filmed in front on a live audience as well as sometimes streamed live worldwide.

She has hosted the awards with Sarah Jane Crawford, and interviewed Evanna Lynch and Lucy Watson on stage.

Combining her love of radio Karin now has a popular radio show every Friday from 6pm to 8pm on Essex based Phoenix FM.

Karin has interviewed experts, local people as well as high profile celebrities including:

Heather Small, Rozalla, Baby D, Vicky Michelle, Jason Burrill the Big Brother Winner, Rick Hay, Wendy Turner Webster, Gary Webster, Jasmine Harman, Peter Egan and many more incredible guests.

Karin has filmed with and interviewed Brian May, Virginia McKenna, Martin Clunes, Anthea Turner, Lorraine Chase, Matthew Wright, Wendy Turner Webster, Laura Hamilton, Peter Eagan, Rick Wakeman, Helen Chamberlain, Jeremy Cunningham – The Levellers… she has also interviewed Sean Hughes and Joanna Lumley.

She also loves presenting VegfestUK Chat – the online regular chat show with Tim Barford the manager of VegfestUK.

 

Karin also coaches media and celebrities to be vegan – and is the Ambassador for Wetnose Animal Aid.

She has written for Leona Lewis’s blog as well as for the Ocado blog and advised Centre Parcs about vegan options.

Karin also runs MAD-Promotions an ethical vegan PR company that focuses on businesses that are making the world a better place.

She also works with many vegan client and vegan products too – constantly getting the positive veggie friendly message into mainstream media.

Karin has gained clients £100,00’s and £100,00’s over the years in free editorial coverage – resulting in profiles of clients being raised, clients gaining their own regular columns, running competitions, having products reviewed and more.

Karin has taken part in more than 250 radio interviews – all promoting how easy, fun, healthy and kinder it is to lead a vegan life.

Karin has been asked to write for other publications in connection with veggie and vegan living and has recently written for various trade publications on how and why they must cater for vegans.

www.karinridgers.me www.veggievision.tv www.mad-promotions.com

 

 

Saturday
1.00pm

Inside the World of Vegan Media: Insights, Inspiration, and Industry Secrets with Leading Vegan Editors

A chat with vegan editors including Sole Palda from Westside Talent, Polly Foreman from Plant Based News and Holly Johnson from Vegan Food & Living about vegan media, hosted by Karin Ridgers

 

Performance Stage full timetable

Saturday
12.00pm

Georgia Meacham - Leading with kindness: Creating a culture of compassion

 

Georgia draws inspiration from the incredible strength of the rescue animals she grew up with, including one who was severely disabled. Her mother, a role model who has been meat-free for over 40 years, profoundly shaped Georgia’s understanding of compassion and a kinder way of living.

For her, choosing cruelty-free options, whether in food or fashion, has always felt like a natural choice, reinforcing her belief that kindness should extend to all beings, especially those who cannot advocate for themselves.

As a deaf actor, Georgia believes her unique perspective enhances her empathy. She champions the power of “being”—specifically, embodying gentleness—as the most effective way to influence others. In her talk, she will share her vegan journey and explore how we can all inspire one another to contribute to a more compassionate world.

 

 

 

Performance Stage full timetable

Saturday
12.30pm

Charlotte Roy - From MasterChef to professional kitchens: stories about plant-based cooking

Come and hear a little about my MasterChef experience earlier this year, as well as what I’ve learned about the food industry from working as a chef in kitchens in Copenhagen and London.

Performance Stage full timetable

Saturday
2pm

How to get your vegan business in the news

Publicity and visibility is the lifeblood of any vegan business – and getting it easier than you think, if you just know how! Karin Ridges is a former journalist, radio presenter and vegan entrepreneur who has helped hundreds of vegan businesses and business owners get in the news. Learn the secrets of how to get your brand on TV, in the newspaper and magazines, onto local and national radio and featured by your favourite vegan news website.

Vegan Business Tribe full timetable

Saturday
3.00pm

Freya Cox in conversation with Karin Ridgers

Karin chats with Bake Off star Freya Cox

Performance Stage full timetable

Saturday
3.30pm

Best Vegan Mince Pie Competition

Our celebrity panel will be the judges for the best vegan mince pie competition which sees them tasting 5 different pies and scoring out of 10. Added kudos for our celebrities correctly identifying the various mince pies. Which mince pie will be crowned ‘Best Vegan Mince Pie 2024’? Come and find out at 3.30 saturday.

Performance Stage full timetable

Saturday
5pm

Networking mingle - Drinks & Cake!

Hosted by Karin Ridgers

 

Help us bring our first day to a close with a vegan business networking session, including free drinks and snacks! Vegfest exhibitors, Vegan Business Tribe members, and anyone who has a vegan business, product or just idea is very welcome to join us!

Vegan Business Tribe full timetable

Saturday April 12th 2025
1.30pm

Peter Egan & Wendy Turner-Webster with Karin Ridgers

Karin chat with Peter and Wendy about their recent projects and their new ventures including the fabulous Vegan Women’s Club

Talks - Fitness and Nutrition full timetable

Saturday April 12th 2025
3pm

Why Go Vegan - Launch

 

Why Go Vegan is a new campaign focus on traditional vegan education, featuring a number of well known individuals from within the UK vegan community. The campaign features a new website and 30 day challenge focusing on traditional veganism, benefits of plant based lifestyles, the UK vegan community and vegan education

 

With Karin Ridgers, Peter Egan, Wendy Turner – Webster & Tim Barford

 

Talks - Animal Rights & Activism full timetable

Saturday December 6th 11am - 6pm
11am - 6pm

Please welcome to the stage Karin Ridgers -  your host for today!

Karin runs the award winning boutique vegan PR agency MAD Promotions ….  working with vegan SMEs, charities and brands . She has been vegan for nearly 30 years and over that time has passionately promoted the movement through all media …. TV, radio, podcasts, offline and online…. and now works with influencers and celebrities too who support the MAD Promotions clients.

A familiar face on VegfestUK stages for over 15 years, Karin is also co-founder of the Vegan Women’s Club and founder of VeggieVision TV, supporting connection, media visibility and community for fellow vegans.

Please welcome, Karin Ridgers! 🎤🌱💚

 

 

 

Stage full timetable

Saturday December 6th 11am - 6pm
1pm

Animal Aid 2025 with Iain Green

A look back at some of the most notable campaigns run by Animal Aid during 2025, and an insight into what’s in store for 2026 with director Iain Green, in conversation with host Karin Ridgers

 

Stage full timetable

Sunday
4pm

Drop-in business clinic

Need some advice? Looking to launch a new business? Or need help taking your business to the next level? Come chat with vegan entrepreneur and Vegan Business Tribe Founder David Pannell, and marketing and PR specialist Karin Ridges in a relaxed setting!

Vegan Business Tribe full timetable

Sunday
1pm

Karin Ridgers with Todd Sinclair & Giles Bryant

Karin interviews Todd and asks him all about his book launch before Giles performs a 20 minute set of recent music.

 

Todd Sinclair

”My new release -EXPOSING DECEPTION & EMBRACING TRUTH: The Definitive Collection Unpacking the Corruption of Our Global Food System and the Rise of Veganism.


It’s been my dream to revise and update my two first books covering the Why and How of veganism, into one book!”

”Forget everything you think you know about modern veganism.

Let’s open this can of worms and navigate the masses of information—and misinformation—to build a new normal that puts our health, ethics and sustainability at the forefront.

Covid has changed us and highlighted many uncomfortable truths. This historic juncture is our once–in–a–lifetime opportunity to build a new normal. Doing the right thing has never been more critical.

In Exposing Deception & Embracing Truth, author and activist Todd Sinclair shows how vegan values are a fundamental way forward to avoid future pandemics, protect animals and the planet, and promote personal health.

Among the topics covered are:

Volume One
Unpacking The Facts: Why Veganism Matters

· A global history of our food system and veganism – how reclaiming the past and connecting with our ancestors gives us a sense of power and purpose

· The ethical debate over food technology and the future of veganism

· The shocking truth of why meat is so cheap but costs us dearly

· How what we eat has a direct impact on the climate crisis, chronic and infectious diseases, and the exploitation of people and animals

· Expert tips on confronting sceptics and empowering others to become confident, compassionate Rebel Vegans.

Volume Two
The Path To Compassion: How to Align With Your Values

· Nutritional guide to what plant-based foods you need to eat to be healthy

· How to stock the perfect pantry—including a complete list of everything you’ll need for your plant-based dishes

· How easy it is to cook vegan—including 29 recipes that can be adapted to YOUR tastes and YOUR schedule

· Insider tips on navigating the world ethically and spreading compassion

· How to come out as a vegan and connect with your community

· How to go beyond diet to create a cruelty-free lifestyle

 

Together As One Stage full timetable

Sunday
2.00pm

Peter Egan & Joanne Rose in Conversation with Karin Ridgers

Karin gets to chat with all time fave vegan activist Peter Egan, alongside Screenwriter & author Joanne Rose

Performance Stage full timetable

Sunday
2.30pm

VegfestUK Awards 2024 Presentations

The VegfestUK Awards are back, with the winners from the 10 categories announced on stage at 3.30pm

Performance Stage full timetable

Sunday
9.30am - 10.30am

Business Networking Session - MAD Promotions Connections

Our business networking session with Karin Ridgers and Tim Barford is designed to bring together vegan entrepreneurs and business owners at the London Vegan Fayre. This is your chance to connect with like minded professionals, exchange ideas, and explore collaborative opportunities.

Even pick Karin’s brain for PR ideas!

Whether you’re looking to expand your network, discover new partnerships, or share your vision, this session perfect to grow your vegan business as well strengthen the vegan SME community

 

Performance Stage full timetable