The TUCO Foundation was established to provide additional support to those working in the public sector. The TUCO Academy will offer subsidised training opportunities, courses, study tours and professional development events to both members of TUCO and non-members. Bursary placements will be available as well as free-of-charge allergen and food safety training.
Matthew White MBE, chair of The TUCO Foundation, said: “As previous chair of TUCO, to have come full circle to chair The TUCO Foundation, is an honour. The Foundation will strive to support great causes worldwide, as well as those closer to home. To help drive its work both within the hospitality industry and outside of it, alongside my fellow trustees, will be a privilege.”
Many study tours, organised trips to food and drink establishments around the world, will give staff the opportunity to learn first-hand about a country’s eating habits. The TUCO Foundation will also donate on an ad-hoc basis to charities worldwide and conduct fundraising for various good causes.
Mike Haslin, chief executive of TUCO, added: “We are delighted to have launched The TUCO Foundation today. TUCO has long supported its members through trying times, especially over the last four years, and we felt it was now time to extend that support to the wider community.
“To be able to offer grants and bursaries towards the award-winning training courses will allow colleagues to flourish without additional financial hurdles that we know face many today.”
The trustees of The TUCO Foundation are:
- Matthew White MBE (Chair) - director of student experience and education, The University of Reading
- Phil Rees-Jones - director of campus services, Cardiff University
- Mike Haslin – chief executive of TUCO
- Annabel Hurst – head of catering, conferences and events, Cardiff University