Beverley Baker wins Cost Sector Education Award

At a glittering awards ceremony at the London Hilton Metropole on April 8th Beverley's outstanding work in the school meals sector over many years was recognised. The awards citation said: "She has spent her career within the authority over many years, and has shown a consistent ability to overcome the challenges the sector throws at school meal providers." In her current role with Surrey she manages a budget of £23 million, providing about 50,000 school meals a day to more than 350 schools in the county plus managing services to staff restaurants. Under her guidance Surrey Commercial Services became the first education catering organisation to be accredited with the Investors in People (IiP) award and has held the Hospitality Assured accreditation since 2004. Judges said: "Beverley has been at the forefront of radical changes to services and adapting as well as responding to changing legislation over the years. "She has enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to make a real difference to young people's health through the food served, balancing the need to operate a viable service with the new welfare based requirements." Beverley has long been an active member of the Local Authority Caterers' Association, chairing the organisation from 2000-2002 and having last year taken up a second term of office. She has been hugely involved in the changes that have revolutionised school meals in recent years, as a member of the Government's School Meals Review Panel and then as a member of the School Food Trust. Beverley says she's delighted to accept the award, adding: "The award came as a surprise but it is always nice to know that your work is appreciated. The work that I carry out for Surrey could not be done without the team that work with me to encourage children to eat more healthily in schools."