Supplier Awards 2025: Outstanding Supplier Personality Award – Andy Kemp

For more than 40 years Andy Kemp has been a hugely respected leader and personality in the foodservice and hospitality sector.

As the long-serving executive director at Bidfood, he has used his platform to promote best practice in the supply chain and drive positive change throughout the industry.

Kemp is arguably one of the best-known faces in the supply side of the sector, having spent his career championing causes that both promote the industry and make a contribution to the wider world, working with industry bodies and charities with the positivity and enthusiasm that has become his trademark.

Of particular note has been Kemp’s passion for the protection of Universal Infant Free School Meals, along with his work on holiday hunger, advocating and ensuring a better future for children across the UK. He has also lent his expertise to tackling food fraud, supply chain integrity and the route to market for food.

Kemp has also made a significant contribution to research on the dangers of antibiotics and hormones in food, as well as working to improve understanding of the issue.

His campaigning and contribution to the industry has been recognised with numerous accolades, including an honorary doctorate from the University of West London in 2017 and an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2019 for services to the hospitality industry.

Those services have been many and varied, with almost every industry body and charity in the sector benefitting from his enthusiasm and commitment. He has worked with the likes of Springboard UK, Hospitality Action, UKHospitality, the One and All Foundation, Arena, Clink, LACA, Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, University of West London and the Institute of Hospitality.

Springboard chief executive Chris Gamm said Kemp had made an “immense contribution to the hospitality industry and charity”. He added: “A dedicated Springboard trustee and former director, he has driven Bidfood’s long-term support for the charity and raised hundreds of thousands for Springboard, alongside his long-term support for Hospitality Action and many other worthy charities.

“As chair of Arena, he has fostered industry collaboration, while his role in the Government’s All-Party Parliamentary Group has championed feeding all children. His leadership, generosity and lasting impact make him truly worthy of this honour.”

Hospitality Action chief executive Mark Lewis said: “I can think of no more worthy recipient of the inaugural Outstanding Supplier Personality Award than Bidfood UK’s Dr Andy Kemp MBE. Philanthropy courses through Andy’s veins, and Hospitality Action is just one of many charities to have benefitted from his generosity of spirit.”

There can be no doubt of Kemp’s outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry. He has been determined to promote positive change at every turn, working with all partners possible to push the agenda. An inspiring individual who is always willing to go the extra mile, it is fitting that Andy Kemp is the first recipient of The Caterer’s Outstanding Supplier Personality Award.