TUCO appoints Matthew White as new chair

28 June 2016 by Katey Pigden

The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) has revealed Matthew White will become the chair of the organisation from September when Julie Barker steps down after five years.

White, who is director of catering, hotel & conference services at the University of Reading, has been a director of TUCO for three years and has held the role of vice chair for the past two years.

He said: "TUCO is at an incredibly important point in its progression and I am enormously excited by the next phase of its development, and the work that the board will be undertaking in the next few years to build on the momentum secured to date.

"Julie has been a powerful force alongside the TUCO board in evoking change and I would like to personally thank her for everything that she has done over the past five years.

"She has been instrumental in the growth of TUCO and the developments to transform and modernise the organisation to offer genuine value to our members, as well as taking our unique procurement frameworks - which represent incredible value - and offer these to the broader public sector."

He added: "TUCO members are some of the most talented caterers in the country providing for diverse and multi-faceted needs across international audiences. They are right at the forefront of trends and insights into the future of foodservice, working with the consumers of tomorrow.

"Together with the board, I will be working tirelessly to advance the learning and development of catering and hospitality teams in line with emerging trends and changes."

Barker will remain in her role as director of accommodation and hospitality for the University of Brighton and will continue to sit on the TUCO board.

She said: "The past five years as chair have been an inspiration. It has been an honour to oversee the TUCO board, where each of the members are dynamic and driven with unique backgrounds and expertise, that see them work seamlessly together to find creative solutions to the challenges faced by our sector.

"The growth and development of the organisation over the past few years, both within the education sector and more widely within the hospitality industry, is something which I am tremendously proud of.

"I am delighted that Matthew will be taking over the position, he has a wealth of experience and a passion for the industry which will see him bring the organisation into a new, creative and cutting-edge era."

TUCO is a membership organisation for in-house caterers operating in the higher and further education sectors, working with more than 500 universities and colleges across the UK.

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