Elior makes new appointments to beef up its B&I team

Contract caterer Elior has beefed up its business & industry (B&I) team with a series of new appointments.

The company, which operates its B&I contracts under the Avenance brand, part of its Contract division, has appointed Chris Sprague as regional managing director for Avenance's city and corporate division.

Sprague was regional managing director for Avenance's southern region and has been with the caterer for 14 years.

Lynn McClelland, managing director of Elior's contracts division, said: "I would like to congratulate Chris Sprague on his move, which signals a new phase of development for our City and corporate team."

Other appointments include Jan Matthews who joins the company from the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes where she was director of change for the UK and Germany.

Matthews takes on Sprague's vacated position, and will also take responsibility for education.

Elior has also made two sales appointments with Sarah Sheppard joining as national sales director for contracts having worked as commercial leader for GE Capital Solutions.

Denise Maxfield, previously a management consultant, has become sales manager at Avenance City and Corporate.

Finally, Charlotte Davis joins Elior as commercial manager to the contracts team and was sales effectiveness leader at GE.

The contract caterer has had a mixed time on the B&I front recently.

It started 2008 on a high with a major contract with EDF Energy and then picked up deals at Response Intelligent Outsourcing in Glasgow and Norfolk police force

However, late last year it lost the contracts to run catering at the Bank of England, to Compass Group and utilities company Wessex Water, to Holroyd Howe, while this year it has lost contracts at Tate & Lyle, advertising agency the Engine Group and London law firm CMS Cameron McKenna.

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By Chris Druce

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