Matt Pickop, who worked with Gordon Ramsay for 10 years, is joining as new joint executive head chef and Lesley Finnih is taking up the role as the company’s first business development manager.
Neil Lodge, chief executive of Fosters, said: “We are serious about competing at the highest level and we must have the right people, facilities, products and service in place to make that happen.
“We will continue to invest in talented individuals to encourage innovation within the business and ultimately drive it forward.”
The appointments are the latest development in the company’s expansion strategy, which has seen £1 million invested into the business over the past two years, including refurbishing its catering facilities, acquiring party planning business Hype Agency and appointing a communications agency.
Pickop has more than 15 years’ foodservice experience, most recently as consultant chef at the Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit in Dubai.
He also worked directly for Ramsay for a decade, as sous chef at Claridges and then as executive head chef at the Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel with personal responsibility for the ‘Verre’ restaurant.
Lodge said Pickop’s brief was to evolve and innovate Fosters’ menus, oversee the delivery of events at client venues, and develop its passionate team of chefs.
Finnih has 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, joining Fosters from Crown Catering where she was general manager for nearly four years.
Before that she held roles at Punch Taverns and the Feathers Group.
She will focus on generating sales leads and securing clients for Fosters venues and the company.