Amanda Afiya and Mark Lewis to leave The Caterer
Amanda Afiya and Mark Lewis, the editor and publisher of The Caterer, are to step down from their respective roles on the UK's leading hospitality media brand, later this year.
Amanda's departure comes as a result of her family's decision to relocate to Devon, from where she plans to maintain her strong links with the UK hospitality industry.
Mark leaves to take up the role of chief executive of the industry's benevolent charity, Hospitality Action (HA), following Penny Moore's recent announcement that she will vacate the position in December.
Amanda has worked on The Caterer for 27 years, and Mark for 14 years. Both are set to retain close ties with the group.
Clive Jacobs, chairman of The Caterer's parent company, Jacobs Media Group, said: "I would like to thank Amanda and Mark for their tireless support of The Caterer over so many years. Both were instrumental in bringing to me the opportunity to acquire The Caterer and following on from the acquisition, their dedication and hard work have helped this much-loved brand re-invent itself by developing a broad portfolio of digital and events products.
"We are sorry to be saying goodbye to two such loyal servants to The Caterer. But we envisage that Amanda and Mark will remain very much part of the wider Caterer family."
Amanda plans to continue to work around the hospitality community.
"I have loved serving British hospitality operators over the past three decades; and I'm looking forward to exploring new opportunities to do so in the coming months and years."
Mark was a trustee of HA for over a decade, before stepping down in order to take up his new position.
"The Caterer has always been a staunch supporter of HA", he said. "I anticipate this support becoming ever stronger, in future.
"I've been fortunate enough to witness first-hand the invaluable work HA does to help current and retired industry professionals and their families, in times of need. I relish this chance to spread the word about the charity more widely around the industry it serves."
Amanda and Mark leave behind a product set and a team that are well-equipped to support The Caterer's multimedia growth.
Amanda said: "I know I speak for us both when I say that it's been a privilege to work on such a well-loved and well-respected brand, and with so many wonderful journalists and contributors. Mark and I have every confidence that The Caterer will go from strength to strength under new stewardship, in future."
Jacobs Media Group's chief executive, Duncan Horton said: "The Caterer has served UK hospitality for 140 years. I look forward to appointing and working with the new guardians of this important brand, as it continues to help operators build better businesses and better careers.
"With Travel Weekly, The Caterer is one of the two pillars upon which we've built Jacobs Media Group, Europe's largest B2B media brand for the hospitality, travel and tourism sectors. Our unrivalled set of print, digital and in-person products, both domestic and international, leaves us perfectly positioned to steer these two great brands to even greater success."
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