Laca chief leaves early

John Davis has resigned as chairman of the Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA), after moving to a new job in the private sector.

Davis quit his role as general manager of catering and cleaning at Shropshire County Council last month to join private firm Martin's of Oswestry. The dry goods supplier is taking over school meals catering in St Helens, Merseyside (Caterer, 6 August, page 7).

LACA chairman elect Ian Wasson said Davis had resigned from the association early because he had a lot of work to do before the start of the St Helens contract. Davis was due to step down in October as his two-year stint was coming to an end.

The resignation forestalled a meeting called by some LACA members who were concerned at their chairman's move to the private sector.

"There's no reason whatsoever why the chairman of LACA can't be someone from the private sector," said Wasson.