Elior’s eight-strong innovation team are responsible for delivering digital, concept development, photography and menu management across its UK business. Prior to Elior, Small held senior roles with hospitality brands including SSP UK, The Restaurant Group PLC and ETM Group, helping translate consumer trends into creative commercial solutions.
At Elior, Small is responsible for digital strategy across the company, including the rollout and optimisation of its proprietary Breaz mobile ordering app, Scan & Go technology and digital kiosk ordering.
Small will also forge partnerships with brands, chefs and suppliers to ensure Elior’s offer is the ‘most innovative’ and food-led in the market. She said: “Elior operates across a wide range of sectors and I’m incredibly excited about the opportunities we have to innovate across the business, especially as we emerge from an extremely tough period and adapt to new customer habits and expectations.”
The innovation team have been bringing to market Elior’s new health-focused ‘grab & go’ concept, Wildgreen, which is soon to be piloted in B&I locations across the UK. The Wildgreen menu is 50% plant-based, providing nutritionally-balanced boxed meals, which customers can order digitally and collect in minutes.
Catherine Roe, chief executive at Elior, added: “Our new innovation team along with Claire’s appointment, represent an exciting new direction for Elior. Our Customers’ needs changed significantly as a result of the pandemic and we adapted to these.
“Given the speed of change, we realised that, as a leading contract caterer, we can spearhead new innovation in the foodservice industry. The team are working on several inspiring new projects which will spur the business on for sustained growth over the coming years.”