Product Development Strategist & Food Innovation Expert
Elspeth Copeland is a leader in food innovation, guiding concepts from ideation to market success. As the founder of EC Consulting, she helps manufacturers, retailers, and foodservice distributors bring products to shelf with precision, creativity, and commercial viability.
With over 30 years of experience in product development, private label strategy, and commercialisation, Elspeth has shaped some of North America’s most recognised food brands. Her career includes:
- 17 years at Canada’s largest retailer, where she developed hundreds of private label products across multiple categories.
- Led a retailer national fresh prepared foods division, overseeing a $500M+ business across 1,000+ locations.
- Serving as a board member at one of Canada’s leading privately held brands, providing strategic insight into product innovation, formulation and market positioning.
- Led the launch of a premium private label foodservice brand for one of North America’s largest distributors.
- Guided the launch of an innovative private label food program for a traditionally non-food retailer.
- Providing due diligence support in merger and acquisition initiatives
- Expert witness in legal cases on food product development and commercialisation.
A curious and globally minded food strategist, Elspeth holds a Master’s in French Gastronomy from the University of Reims and continually explores culinary trends and traditions. Her deep sensory expertise and analytical mindset allow her to bridge the gap between culinary excellence and retail reality. Elspeth’s passion for mentoring people and teams has helped companies increase their competitive strengths in the area product development and innovation.
At EC Consulting, she partners with clients to:
- Evaluate products in development, aligning them with retailer expectations.
- Develop custom products, leveraging manufacturer capabilities for competitive differentiation.
- Coaching and mentoring of product development teams
- Guide private label strategies, ensuring alignment with specific retailer demands.
- Adapt international products to meet North American flavour profiles.
- Identify co-manufacturing partners to scale production efficiently.
- Navigate commercialisation, from initial concept to shelf placement.
Elspeth works with multinational brands, leading retailers, and ambitious start-ups, offering a rare combination of culinary insight, strategic market knowledge, and operational expertise. Whether refining an emerging concept or optimising an existing product line, she helps clients achieve success in an increasingly competitive food landscape.