Atherton replaces Heston Blumenthal as the charity’s principal patron, while Kerridge joins a body of patrons that includes Michel and Albert Roux, Raymond Blanc and Anton Mosimann. Blumenthal remains a patron of the charity.
Atherton has been a supporter of the charity since becoming a patron and trustee in 2011.
Mark Lewis, chief executive of Hospitality Action, says: “I’d like to thank Heston for all he has helped us achieve in his tenure as Principal Patron. By supporting our charity, he has greatly enhanced our credibility and standing, and thereby helped hospitality professionals who find themselves in difficulty or crisis.
"We’ve been able to improve many lives as a direct result of his huge support, and for that we’re very grateful. I look forward to working with him in his ongoing role as patron of Hospitality Action.”
After supporting many of the industry charity’s fundraising events and initiatives over the past decade, Kerridge joins as patron in the year that he named Hospitality Action as the nominated charity for his Pub in the Park summer festivals.
He says: “I’m so proud to be a patron of Hospitality Action as it is the point of contact and foundation for all hospitality industry people when they need a guiding light or a helping hand. Ours is an incredibly tasking industry to be in, so it’s amazing to know that there is a wonderful support system. It’s a charity that I can relate to, can help with and in turn, I hope, help other people.”
Lewis says Kerridge is a well-known and well-loved personality whose patronage of Hospitality Action is sure to raise the charity’s profile.