Academy of Food and Wine Service appoints new executive director
The Academy of Food and Wine Service (AFWS), the professional body for front-of-house service, has appointed Suzanne Weekes as its executive director.
Weekes replaces John Croft, who left earlier this year to become director of Spanish-based private yachting and cruise line company, the Sovren House Group.
In her new role, Weekes will be tasked with improving the awareness of the hospitality industry as a viable career choice.
As well as extending the support network given to the industry by AFWS, Weekes will be working on the Restaurant Manager of the Year awards and UK Sommelier of the Year awards.
In addition, she will work for Hospitality and Leisure Manpower (HALM), which offers the Gold Service Scholarship as well as education, training and development for both employees and employers in the industry.
Weekes has spent the last 23 years shaping the careers of students at the University of West London, where she was a course leader in Hospitality and International Hotel Management.
She has co-authored leading textbooks in the field including Food and Beverage Service for Levels One and Two, Food and Beverage Service, Dynamic Learning e-learning platform and is a contributing author to The Theory of Catering.
Prior to this, Weekes has also worked at Hilton Hotels and Resorts and Ladbroke Hotels.
The AFWS offers advice and training in order to raise standards across the industry. The support of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), has given the AFWS the opportunity to maximise awareness across the industry.
Tim Hulme, chief executive of the BII, said: "Suzanne's appointment marks the start of an exciting time for AFWS and BII as we look to further enhance our offering to those within the industry and those seeking to join it. Suzanne's rare and varied background is invaluable and will transform the network of support we are able to offer our members."
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