Former Kerb Events MD joins Jimmy Garcia Catering

Alana Buckley, former managing director at Kerb Events, has been appointed managing director at Jimmy Garcia Catering.

She will start her role at the luxury events and venue caterer from 6 October, working alongside current managing director Richard Groves, who will move into the role of chairman, as well as founder Jimmy Garcia and managing director of Jimmy’s Pop Up, Bertie Woodhead.

Jimmy Garcia Catering is hoping to secure B Corp certification, joining the likes of boutique caterers Houston & Hawkes and Lettice Events.

Buckley was most recently business development director at Compass-backed street food operator Kerb, having also been head of events and commercial director.

Prior to her nine years at Kerb, she was head of events at Smart Group’s event catering business, Moving Venue. She also sat on the board for Unique Venues of London (UVL), a collective that brings together over 80 event venues in the capital.

Garcia said: “We chose Alana because of her exceptional experience and strong industry connections. Richard and I have brought her into the business at an exciting and pivotal time for the company, and we’re confident that her leadership will help us continue to grow and innovate across new venues and client experiences. Her experience will be invaluable for both Jimmy Garcia Catering and Jimmy’s Pop Up.”

In the year-to-date, Jimmy Garcia Catering has added the V&A South Kensington, the Science Museum and Two Temple Place to its accredited list of London venues.

The business was founded by Garcia in 2011 after he turned his living room into a 25-seater restaurant. Over the years, his catering business has worked with clients including Gucci, Google, Instagram and the Royal Palaces.