The PSC Alliance offers a collaborative forum and lobbying voice on issues of common interest across education, health and social care, prisons and the military.
During her two-year tenure as chair Jayne says she will take the lead on the alliance’s annual action points and in forming consensus views on issues of shared concern such as Government buying standards, allergens, obesity and recruitment and retention.
And Anita Brown, immediate past chair of LACA, the school meals organisation, has been selected as vice chair of the Alliance.
Jayne is currently assistant director for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with responsibility for all Soft FM Services including catering, cleaning and portering services.
Over the past ten years, she has participated in a number of Scottish Government steering groups including those developing Local Food Strategies, ending the need for food banks in Scotland and in developing proposals for the next Scottish Organic Food Action Plan.
Previously she was chair of ASSIST FM, the Scottish local authority services organisation, and is currently a member of the Hospital Caterers Association. Jayne was recognised as one of the UK Public Sector Catering's Most Influential People in 2019, 2020 and 2021, is a 2021 Acumen Academy UK Fellow and holds an Honorary Fellowship with the University of Edinburgh Business School.
Jayne has been vice chair of the Public Sector Catering Alliance since 2022. She says her long-term commitment is to continue to work in partnership with a range of stakeholders to make systems shifts and improvements in public sector food by taking a sustainable food systems approach.
Speaking about her appointment, she said: "The work that both Andy Jones and Matthew White have done over the past few years has really built relationships across organisational boundaries, and we've seen a real change in how public sector catering sees itself.
"Over the next two years I want to build on that legacy, continuing to focus on developing synergies between our member organisations as well as valuing their differences and diverse priorities. I want to centre voices of our children, young people, students, patients, elderly, those in prisons and in the armed forces and ensure we listen to what they need.
"I truly believe that public sector catering organisations are uniquely placed to use our work to create a fairer, more just, more equitable and sustainable food system. I challenge all of our various players and stakeholders to consider that the food system is not broken, it is working for the actors who benefit from it. We need to disrupt it and lead on creating systems shifts.
"We provide 2.6bn meals per year, and can no longer be sidelined. All of us have a duty to influence change. I'm delighted that Anita Brown is our vice chair, she is hard-working, caring and values our people above all.
"I'm very grateful to Matt for his leadership, he really led with compassion and inclusion, and has never been afraid to speak up or speak out for our industry. I'll miss his pragmatism, his humour and his enthusiasm for our sector."
The PSC Alliance Forum aims to bring together industry leaders from different parts of the sector to discuss common issues, share best practice and collaborate to improve the catering provision in the public sector.
Matthew White won the Outstanding Industry Contribution accolade at the 2024 Public Sector Catering Awards. As chair of the PSC Alliance Matthew is stepping down from the role after completing his term in office.