The remaining set of five names will be released tomorrow (Thursday, November 28th), with the full list of 20 appearing on Friday.
An article looking in more depth at the list, and why the people on it were chosen, is appearing in the December issue of Public Sector Catering magazine.
This will be available online from Monday, December 2nd with print copies delivered from December 6th onwards.
The 2024 Top 20 ‘most influential’ people in foodservice reflects all the different parts of the sector – schools, hospitals, care, universities, prisons, and the military - as well as a number of people whose work addresses issues such as health, allergens, the food system, and procurement which are relevant to all.
It is chosen each year by a panel of independent judges.
Part 3
Amanda Pettingill, chair of The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO), joined the board in 2015 and become vice-chair in 2022, before taking over this autumn from Phil Rees-Jones. She has an abundance of industry experience, having worked within contract catering, hotels, sport and the education sectors.
Molly Shaher, chair of the Professional Association of Catering Education (PACE), sees her role as encouraging catering educating institutions to work together to manage the challenges of continuing change. Her members are struggling with course closures as colleges look to cut costs by axing expensive-to-run training kitchens and also saving money budgeted for ingredients for catering students.
Nadim & Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, founders Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, tragically lost their daughter Natasha following an allergic reaction. Having successfully campaigned for improved labelling legislation – known as Natasha’s Law – they then set up the Natasha Research Foundation to help people with allergies safely manage the condition.
Don Bundy is a professor of epidemiology and development at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and director of the Global Research Consortium for School Health & Nutrition. He is also an adviser to the UN World Food Programme, leading a global research effort to provide evidence-based guidance to the 107 member states of the School Meals Coalition.
Robin Mills is the chief executive of Compass Group UK & Ireland, appointed to his current role in 2019. Under him Compass has played a key role in the national effort to tackle Covid, including a redeployment of staff from sports and business sectors to hospitals and defence sites. He represents the foodservice sector, including public sector catering, on the Defra Food & Drink Sector Council.