The newly created role will involve Payne looking after Aramark UK’s global accounts with the aim of growing the Aramark proposition. Payne, who previously worked for Aramark, has over 35 years’ experience in the UK food and hospitality industry.
Commenting on his appointment he said: “I am delighted to return to Aramark to take on this new and exciting role working with our international clients and building our global profile.
“I’m focussed on developing and maintaining relationships with some of our biggest clients and continuing to evolve our offering to give us a competitive edge. My previous journey with Aramark built the foundations for my career and I am thrilled to be returning and starting this new chapter.”
He joined Aramark in 1999 as national development chef and worked his way up to more senior roles, eventually becoming director of operations in 2004. In 2010 Payne left and joined Searcy’s where he has been working with them for the last 11 years.
Helen Milligan-Smith, managing director for Aramark UK, added: “Rodney is a fantastic addition to our team, and I am really excited to see the impact he will have in his new role.
“Growing our business is a big focus for the future and Rodney’s wealth of knowledge makes him the perfect candidate for the role. His years of experience in the industry will help us to develop the relationships we have with our existing clients and build on relationships with future clients.”
The Aramark mission is to deliver experiences that ‘enrich and nourish’ lives with a long-standing commitment to advance sustainable practices that minimise impacts to people, animals and the environment.