Members’ News

January 2026

A Channel First: Bestway Welcomes the Legendary Coca-Cola Christmas Truck for their Biggest Wholesale Customer Event! #

Bestway Wholesale delivered its largest and most ambitious customer event to date at the Park Royal depot on Wednesday 10th December, generating record-breaking activation, sales-uplifts, a standout festive experience, and more than doubling footfall on the day.
 
In a historic first for the UK wholesale channel, the iconic Coca-Cola Christmas Truck rolled into Bestway’s Park Royal depot, drawing exceptional footfall and setting new records for attendance, engagement and sales. The event marked a defining milestone for Bestway’s partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) in Bestway’s 50th anniversary year and reinforced the partnerships reputation for driving innovative, customer-centric and forward-thinking initiatives.
 
Record-breaking customer turnout and sales uplift, the event delivered:
 
Depot Footfall +45%
Customers buying CCEP +198%
Exceptional participation in promotional mechanics
Strong retailer sentiment, with overwhelmingly positive feedback on the activation experience and soft drink retailer workshops 
Channel-breaking value and industry-first experiential activation
 
The event combined, one-day-only deals with a CCEP takeover across the depot, showcasing Bestway’s ability to pair commercial impact with high-energy retail theatre. Retailers benefited from exclusive promotions, complemented by a vibrant programme of engagement including:

⦁          A dedicated activation zone for retailers and their families
⦁          Competitions, giveaways, sampling and experiential brand spaces
⦁          Live demonstrations and festive entertainment
⦁          A hot food truck and family-friendly activities
⦁          High-impact stunt activations across promotional displays 
 
The approach underscores Bestway’s drive to redefine wholesale trading, delivering a differentiated, customer-first experience ahead of the peak trading period.
 
The day included retailer workshops designed to equip retailers with the insight and tools they need to drive stronger trading performance in 2026 and beyond. Sessions covered:
 
Category performance trends and the growth levers shaping the year ahead
Merchandising excellence, supported by fresh shopper behaviour insights
A first look at upcoming NPD pipelines and innovation opportunities
A forward-thinking view of “What Great Retailing Looks Like” in 2026 and beyond 

Each workshop was built to deliver practical, actionable takeaways helping retailers sharpen their competitiveness, optimise their in-store execution, and unlock new growth as they head into the new year.
 
Kenton Burchell, Group Trading Director at Bestway Wholesale, said:
 
“This event represents a defining moment not just for Bestway, but for the wholesale channel. We wanted to create something that delivered real commercial value for retailers with one day deals, exclusive activations and clear, actionable insight ahead of peak trading.”
 
“Bringing the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck to the depot for the first time is a major milestone and reflects our collaborative partnership with CCEP. Looking ahead to 2026, our commitment is unchanged: to back our retailers with the best possible tools, value and support to help them grow.”
 
Ruth Fawcett, Head of Wholesale for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB (CCEP) added:
 
“We’re delighted to partner with Bestway on this landmark 50th anniversary year and bringing the much-loved Coca-Cola Christmas Truck into a wholesale depot for the very first time created a moment of magic that we were proud to share with retailers and their families.

“This partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration and the impact that innovative experiences can have across the channel.” 
 
A new era for wholesale engagement
 
Bestway’s record-breaking Customer Day marks a step-change for the wholesale channel, combining scale, value, theatre and education in a way that has never been achieved before. It signals a new era of experience-led wholesale, driven by Bestway’s commitment to leadership, innovation and retailer success.

Sodexo welcomes new Nutrition and Wellbeing Manager #

Sodexo UK & Ireland has appointed Kate Hilton as Nutrition and Wellbeing Manager, a new transformative role that will shape the company’s nutrition strategy across its Government and Energy & Resources business.

Kate will lead the management and development of Sodexo’s health and wellbeing programmes, while driving improvements to enhance the nutritional quality. Her focus will be on promoting healthier choices, creating effective messaging and bringing nutritional innovation into catering services. 

A registered dietitian, Kate brings a wealth of experience across public and private sectors, specialising in workplace wellbeing as well as promoting health in ways that are evidence-based, engaging and easy to implement. 

In her new role, Kate will take ownership of the development of Sodexo’s Mindful Active Programme, an educational tool that provides holistic health and wellbeing guidance to military personnel and those working in remote environments, helping them make informed choices and improve their overall lived experience.  

Kate will also take on the leadership of Sodexo’s Military Advisory Group, a forum consisting of industry stakeholders and subject-matter experts working across health and wellbeing in the defence environment. 

Kate Hilton, nutrition and wellbeing manager (Government and Energy & Resources), Sodexo UK & Ireland said: "This is an exciting time to join Sodexo’s Government and Energy & Resources business and help advance our nutritional strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of those we serve. I’m especially looking forward to collaborating with the wider segment team to deliver meaningful, evidence-based solutions that make a real difference.”

As an active health communicator and established thought leader, Kate regularly shares her knowledge and insights through public speaking as well as social media. She’s also contributed to advisory panels, including the TikTok Clinician Creator Network and the Agricultural and Horticultural Scientific Board for Nutrition.

Paul Anstey, CEO (Government and Energy & Resources), Sodexo UK & Ireland said: "Kate’s appointment reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, evidence-based wellbeing solutions for our clients and consumers. Her expertise in nutrition and workplace health will be instrumental in shaping programmes that not only meet the highest standards but also make a tangible difference to the communities we operate in.”

Sodexo’s Government and Energy & Resources business works with more than 35 clients in the UK & Ireland, Falklands and Cyprus, across defence, justice, agencies and professional services. With more than 10,000 employees dedicated to delivering operational excellence, the business has decades of experience supporting government organisations. 

apetito Welcomes Passage of Amended EPR Regulations Through Parliament #

apetito, a leading provider of meals to the Healthcare, Care Homes, Education and Social Care sectors, has welcomed the successful passage of amendments to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations through both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

The revised legislation now recognises offsets for closed-loop recycling schemes – a breakthrough outcome that apetito has campaigned for relentlessly over the past two years.

EPR regulations aim to shift the cost of packaging waste from local authorities to producers, a principle apetito strongly supports. However, the original proposals failed to recognise closed-loop systems, unfairly penalising companies that had invested significantly in innovative circular solutions.

In 2021, apetito launched Project Boomerang, the world’s first industrial-scale closed-loop recycling system for ready meal trays. To date, the scheme has recycled over 40 million trays from customers, achieving collection rates close to 50% and guaranteeing that every returned tray is transformed into a new tray for its meals. This far outperforms household recycling, where only 38% of trays are collected and nearly half of that is exported overseas for processing with uncertain outcomes.

Lee Sheppard, Director of Corporate Affairs, Policy and Sustainability at apetito, commented:
“We have always supported the principles of EPR and the need to tackle packaging waste. But the omission of closed-loop schemes in the original regulations was a serious flaw that risked penalising businesses doing the right thing.

“Over the last few years, we’ve worked tirelessly from hosting MPs at our depots, engaging closely with DEFRA, organising Parliamentary drop-in sessions, and securing national media coverage including a published letter in the Financial Times to persuade Government to reconsider this stance.

“We are delighted that the Government has listened and amended the regulations to include an offset for closed-loop systems. This decision not only protects schemes like Project Boomerang but also signals a strong commitment to driving a truly circular economy.”

Flat November sales deepen hospitality's challenges after Budget blows #

Managed operators’ like-for-like trading rises just 0.3%

Pubs outpace restaurants for 11th straight month

New openings drive modest total sales growth
  
Britain’s leading managed hospitality groups enter the crucial Christmas period on the back of flat sales in November, the latest NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.
 
Like-for-like trading was just 0.3% ahead of the same month in 2024, following increases of just 0.1% in October and 0.2% in September. Growth has now been below 1% or negative since April.
 
Amid a soft November for hospitality, the government’s Budget brought further challenges, including a phase-out of rates relief, confirmation of extra labour costs and weak economic forecasts. It leaves businesses anxious for a surge in spending over the festive season.
 
Modest growth for pubs but restaurants slip again
The Hospitality Business Tracker—produced by NIQ, powered by CGA intelligence, in association with RSM—shows a positive November for pubs, where sales rose 2.5% year-on-year. It is a tenth consecutive month of growth for the pub sector, though most increases have been below the rate of inflation.
 
In sharp contrast, sales at restaurants were 2.1% short of November 2024. This means trading has been negative in 10 of the last 11 months, and that restaurants have been outperformed by pubs in every month of 2025 so far.
 
Among other hospitality sectors, bars recorded a 5.2% dip in sales. It extends a difficult year for the channel, with trading behind by between 4% and 10% year-on-year in every month.
 
Higher prices, openings fuel total growth
With footfall down across hospitality, modest growth is being driven by higher menu prices and new openings by some of the sector’s better-performing operators. On a total sales basis—including at venues opened by groups in the last 12 months—sales were 3.1% ahead of November 2024. However, long-term confidence about sales and openings is weak, and the latest Business Confidence Survey from NIQ and Sona found that just 26% of leaders feel optimistic about prospects for their business over the next 12 months.
 
London beats regions for fourth month in a row
The NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker’s breakdown of sales indicates that London delivered slightly better growth for hospitality operators than the rest of Britain in November. Like-for-like sales within the M25 were 0.7% ahead year-on-year, compared to 0.2% in regions beyond the M25. It is the third month in a row that the capital has been marginally ahead of the country as a whole. 
 
Karl Chessell, director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA at NIQ, said: “Soft trading and high costs have been a potent combination for hospitality operators, and November’s figures extend a very difficult 2025. Reasonable growth for pubs suggests consumers remain willing to go out to drink, while a steady stream of new openings shows some operators and investors are on the front foot. But another negative month for restaurants and bars is cause for major concern, especially in light of yet more additions to their burdens of costs in the Budget. The sector will now be pinning hopes on a surge in Christmas sales to boost depleted coffers ahead of 2026.”
 
Saxon Moseley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK, said: “November’s results continue a disappointing trend of lacklustre performance as consumer uncertainty in the run up to the budget hampered the industry’s recovery, despite falling interest rates and high levels of household saving in 2025. RSM’s latest Consumer Outlook found that the majority of consumers would rather spend a surprise windfall on paying down debts or saving for the future rather than enjoying an experience, highlighting the challenge operators face in getting customers through the door. As the busiest period of trade for the sector, all will be hoping that promising festive booking data translates into a measurable uptick in spending.” 

FEA makes Embodied Carbon your easiest new year’s resolution to accomplish #

FEA launches Embodied Carbon workshops for 2026

New for 2026, the Foodservice Equipment Association will be delivering a free workshop for its members building the industry’s knowledge and expertise around Carbon Reporting. This new workshop follows the launch of the FEA Embodied Carbon Hub and guides earlier this year and will deliver up-to-date content covering the topic in much more detail than before.

Embodied Carbon has been a hugely significant issue for the foodservice equipment industry throughout 2025, as increasing numbers of consultants, operators, specifiers and designers have needed embodied carbon figures to make informed decisions about the sustainability of their equipment. However as highlighted by an expert panel discussion put together by FEA and FCSI, prior to FEA’s conference in November, Operational Carbon is equally important and in general, the industry needs to continue the good work carried out to date in reporting carbon emissions of catering appliances.

In response to this FEA has developed the workshop, called “Navigating the Carbon Landscape: Understanding Policy, Pressure and Potential for the Foodservice Industry.”

The workshop is designed to be suitable for all businesses and will provide factual information explaining the current demand for carbon data, along with the legal landscape in both the UK and EU.  It will also look at data validation, including the methodologies, as well as considering evidence-based predictions for how compliance in this area will develop in the future.

The course consists of a half-day session led by Luke Slater, FEA’s technical and policy director. New information and insight will be presented, alongside breakout sessions and Q&A opportunities. This format will help FEA members to fully understand the topic and get clear guidance on how it should be applied within their businesses. The information given during these sessions will be fully factual and based on FEA’s own original research, with no bias or hearsay.

“We developed this workshop so attendees will leave feeling confident in their understanding of carbon reporting, why we as an industry need to respond, how to respond, as well as providing them with the tools to determine what's best for their business. We urge members to attend this session, regardless of their current position on the topic. There may be information contained within the presentation that you have not heard before, and there will be time to ask individual, as well as breakout discussion group questions” says Luke Slater.

The sessions will run between 9AM and 1PM, with tea and coffee provided.

These Embodied Carbon workshops will be delivered across England at:

·         15th January 2026 – Meiko’s headquarters in Slough, Berkshire,

·         23rd January – Parts Town in Cannock, Staffordshire, and

·         5th February – Victor Manufacturing in Keighley, West Yorkshire.

FEA members should book their place at: https://www.fea.org.uk/information/embodied-carbon/

The Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA) is the independent, authoritative voice of the foodservice equipment industry, representing over 160 companies who supply, service and maintain all types of commercial catering equipment - from utensils to full kitchen schemes.  For more information on FEA visit www.fea.org.uk 

Bidfood announces Martin Eshelby as its first Culinary Director #

Bidfood is delighted to announce the promotion of its long-standing and highly regarded Food Innovation Manager, Martin Eshelby, to the role of Culinary Director. This appointment recognises Martin’s many years of dedicated hard work and reflects Bidfood’s continued commitment to culinary excellence, innovation, and leadership within the foodservice industry.

For more than ten years, Martin has been a driving force behind Bidfood’s menu innovation, chef-to-chef support, and sector-specific culinary solutions. His creative ideas, expertise and industry insight have helped shape Bidfood’s approach to food innovation. From recipe development and award judging to customer development days, Martin has always ensured customers benefit from industry-leading food insights and practical expertise.

As Culinary Director, Martin will play a key role in shaping and overseeing Bidfood’s culinary vision. Drawing on his extensive experience, he will showcase the business’s strong food credentials, whilst continuing to work closely with manufacturing brands, leading new product innovation, and supporting the development of Bidfood’s annual food and drink trends.  

Nicola Holden, Sales Director at Bidfood said: “Martin’s passion, creativity, and deep understanding of our customers’ evolving challenges make him the ideal person to lead our culinary direction.

“During his time at Bidfood, Martin has demonstrated that he is among the best in the industry, seamlessly bridging his creative flair for food together with the needs of our customers. We’re excited to see how he will continue to innovate, inspire our teams, and help shape the future of foodservice.”

Commenting on his appointment, Martin said: “I’m incredibly excited to take on this new challenge. Bidfood has always been passionate about championing great food, and I’m looking forward to shaping the future of our culinary offering while continuing to support our customers.”

This promotion marks a significant step for Bidfood as the company continues to strengthen its culinary expertise and reinforce its position as a market leader in foodservice solutions.

FEA plans first NextGen event #

Initiative will nurture foodservice equipment industry’s young talent

The future of the foodservice equipment industry depends on the talent it nurtures today. That’s why the Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA) is launching NextGen – a programme designed to inspire, connect and develop the next generation of professionals.
Now FEA is calling on businesses within the industry to encourage their younger team members to attend the first NextGen event, at Parts Town in Cannock, on 21st January 2026.  It begins with a networking lunch at 12:15, followed by the main event.  This will include high profile speakers, breakout discussions and the chance to shape plans for the NextGen initiative and, ultimately, the industry.  The event will end at 15.30. 

NextGen will offer participating individuals professional development, with the chance to access career pathways, network and learn about industry insights.  It aims to promote the full range of careers across engineering, design, service, sales, logistics, and project management.

This first event will be an opportunity to meet peers, ambassadors and industry leaders, and to connect with the professionals who are driving areas such as sustainability and innovation. 

“This is the chance for young professionals to help shape the future of the industry,” says Natalie Courbet of Exclusive Ranges, who is one of the leaders of the initiative. “It’s open to all FEA member companies.” 

For participating companies, NextGen will help deliver the personal training and development that their young team members need to fulfil their potential, with fresh ideas and the energy to drive change.  It also demonstrates a business’s commitment to developing talent while raising its brand visibility. 

“NextGen is an opportunity for the whole industry,” says Natalie. “By working together we can build a skilled, motivated, and future-ready workforce.” 

To find out more please contact Jocelyn Shawyer, events manager at FEA, at Jocelyn.shawyer@fea.org.uk.

The Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA) is the independent, authoritative voice of the foodservice equipment industry, representing over 160 companies who supply, service and maintain all types of commercial catering equipment - from utensils to full kitchen schemes.  For more information on FEA visit www.fea.org.uk 

Christmas with Compass: Teams deliver community spirit across the UK #

Compass Group UK & Ireland is marking the festive season by supporting hundreds of local communities and charities up and down the country, providing help and joy to thousands of people.

CH&CO spread a little joy with its toy drive tradition, donating gifts to support East London Business Alliance’s Toy Appeal - providing children in need with a present.

Chartwells Schools supports the government funded Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) Programme, available to families and children that are eligible for free school meals. This will see Chartwells Schools Nutrition Team delivering nutrition and culinary education workshops throughout the Christmas break, in areas such as Leicester and Greenwich.

Chartwells Universities & Colleges team at University of Swansea are holding a community Christmas lunch, providing food, music and drinks. The team at Swansea have also worked with the university’s charity, ‘Discovery’ to provide barista training to young adults with disabilities. The training concludes with a Christmas showcase, for the participants to demonstrate their new skills. Plus, the team at Brunel University have donated 100 gifts to local community centres.

Dine has donated food to Steadychefs, which creates fun and exciting learning activities within the kitchen environment, for adults with disabilities and learning difficulties. This is to use in hampers for those in need this Christmas.

ESS supported by its suppliers will be donating 10,000 meals plus a range of hampers containing Christmas products and staple food items to charities in the Aberdeen area. Teams from its sites across the UK are donating gifts and food items to local organisations that support those in need.

Eurest and 14forty donned their aprons at Compass’ Birmingham office to lend a hand hosting Christmas lunch for the West Midlands FoodCycle team leaders, who work tirelessly year-round to transform surplus food into delicious meals. 23 volunteers also supported FoodCycle’s Food Invention charity event - they saved 60kg of food waste dishing up 33 portions.

Lodestone House’s team at Tonbridge School will support the local foodbank, ‘Sustain and FEAST’ to help feed 185 families in the local area, giving access to ingredients for Christmas meals for £1 (cost per family).

Medirest’s Southend team is proud to have partnered with Carrie’s Outreach Aspirations, to support local women and families this festive season. Over the past few months, they donated 150 essential hygiene and food items, as well as handmade blankets, raised £250 through a cake sale, and collected 72 chocolate boxes and biscuit packs for festive hampers.

Rapport’s BeKind network has launched an ambitious campaign to raise £10,000 for West Lea and Down Syndrome Ireland by April 2026, already gaining momentum through a festive raffle, client-site bake sales and plans for a charity pub quiz in the new year. 

Restaurant Associates Group supported a Breakfast Club for homeless people at St George’s Cathedral. The team prepared and served breakfast and helped organise and distribute food donations, saving surplus food and helping to feed over 90 people. 
Charity giving highlights from 2025

CH&CO recently hosted a spectacular James Bond-inspired gala in support of the King’s Trust, the charity was founded by King Charles III to help vulnerable young people get their lives on track. 250 people gathered for the glamorous event and an incredible £35,000 was raised for the worthy cause.

Compass spent almost £20,000 with From Babies with Love, gifting baby products to new parents, with 100% of the organisation’s profits supporting vulnerable children.

Coffee by Eurest - Peak Street has raised £20,000 for their partnership for Mental Health UK.

ESS has supported military charities throughout the year, including raising over £24,000 through an ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ fitness and fundraising challenge, as well as completing VE Day 80 fundraising activities, a sponsored abseil, hosting cook along videos and entering a team in a Race Across the UK.

Foodbuy Group has raised over £100,000 for Duchenne UK in 2025. As their long-standing charity partner, funds were raised through a charity activity day, supplier conference, the Duchenne Dash (Duchenne UK's flagship event - a 24-hour cycle from London to Paris), and other team events.

Levy UK raised over £63,500 for its long-standing charity partner, ParalympicsGB. This impressive total comes hot on the heels of the company's annual fundraising challenge - Endure24 - which saw dedicated Levy employees unite across its partner sites to participate in a 24-hour endurance event.

Medirest has continued to support Sophie’s Legacy through the year, delivering meals to the parents and carers of unwell children in hospitals (paediatric patients on extended clinical care plans) – over 15,000 in total. Medirest has also supported the Sophie’s Legacy charity ball and most recently the team raised £1,500, plus at Southend Hospital colleagues raised over £1,000 during December. At Royal Surrey people donated Christmas presents for children to support the charity.

One Retail’s annual Elf Week celebration took place last week raising thousands for Alzheimer’s Society.

Restaurant Associates Group is making a difference through its Coffee for Causes programme, having raised £7,633 for Foodinate this year to support people affected by food poverty and homelessness. They continue to donate money from hot beverages to various charities during the festive season and beyond.

Vacherin team members conquered the Three Peaks Challenge, raising over an incredible £32,400 for the Luminary Charity and Luminary Bakery. The expedition helped mark the ten-year anniversary of Vacherin’s partnership with the social enterprise that empowers disadvantaged women in London. 

Compass continues to support action in preventing food going to waste with activities such as Lodestone House team members volunteering with Fareshare over the Christmas break. Plus, Foodbuy Group continue to work with Fareshare to redistribute surplus food, with over 28,000 meals redistributed throughout 2025.
 
Lucy Hunt, Corporate Affairs and Social Value Director, Compass Group UK & Ireland: "Contributing to the communities in which we work, is something we are passionate about at Compass. Our teams provide fantastic support around the country all year. However, we know Christmas is a time of year where many people need extra help. We have been proud to work with so many wonderful charities and partner organisations, that not only provide critical help during this time, but also hopefully provide some festive cheer too." 

Unveiling the AGP Store: A new global shopping destination for tennis fans #

The ATP has announced the launch of The ATP Store, a dedicated global shopping destination for all things tennis. Scheduled for official launch in January 2026, the e-commerce store is delivered in partnership with Levy Merchandising, now the Official Retail & Merchandise Supplier of the ATP Tour. 

Featuring a comprehensive catalogue of tennis apparel and accessories, the ATP Store will be the go-to destination for tennis fans globally, providing year-round access to merchandise. The initial launch line-up includes ATP principal partners Lacoste, Dunlop and Waterdrop, alongside ATP’s recent collaboration with Palmes. The platform will also debut an exclusive ATP branded fanwear collection designed and developed in collaboration with Levy Merchandising’s in-house team. 

Levy Merchandising, known for delivering bespoke retail solutions across sport, entertainment, and venues, will bring global scale and innovation to the ATP’s product and retail. The scope of the agreement includes global e-commerce, with the option to operate official ATP Stores at select tournaments and across other offline channels. This will be supported by a licensed product line created by Levy’s specialist design team and utilising their best in-class global supply chain. 

Eno Polo, ATP CEO, said: “The ATP Store opens up a new way for fans to connect with our brand. Through merchandise, we see a real opportunity to raise the sport’s profile off court, reach new fans, and deliver meaningful value to our partners. We now have a dedicated licensing and retail team to strengthen our focus in this space, and we’re excited to partner with Levy to keep building on this momentum.” 

Vinny Clark, CEO of Levy Merchandising, said: “We feel an enormous sense of pride to be trusted by the ATP Tour to build out this global retail platform with them. The ATP Tour has a genuinely global reach, with highly engaged fans supporting avidly wherever it goes. Merchandising is a great way for fans to feel connected to the sports and athletes that they love, and we are excited to provide the premium, customised shopping experience they deserve through bespoke product creation and a truly globalised e-commerce platform. This is a significant moment in our evolution as our growth journey continues.” 

The ATP Store sign-up page is live HERE, offering fans the chance to enter a prize draw to win a £500 (or equivalent) gift voucher and a match-worn item from an ATP player just by signing up, ensuring they are the first to know when the full store launches. 

Visit The ATP Store online at: www.atptourstore.com

Sodexo Live! appoints new director for sports & stadia division #

Sodexo Live! is delighted to announce the appointment of Steven Cova as its new Divisional Operations Director for Sports & Stadia.
 
Steven brings over 20 years of operational and commercial experience in senior leadership roles across some of the UK’s most iconic sporting and entertainment venues.
 
Throughout Steven’s career, he has consistently delivered growth and innovation, mobilising new stadia, driving digital transformation, and pioneering sustainability initiatives. His track record includes overseeing multi-site operations with revenues exceeding £135 million, delivering successive years of sales and profit margin growth, and building high-performing teams recognised for service excellence.
 
Claire Morris, CEO Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland said: “Steven is a great addition to our UK senior leadership team. Our people are at the heart of our business and Steven has proven success of building and developing talented teams with a focus on creating an inclusive working environment for all.
 
“Steven’s extensive experience and proven ability to drive operational excellence and innovation will be instrumental as we look to accelerate the growth of our sports and stadia business.  We look forward to Steven helping us unlock new opportunities, strengthen our partnerships, and deliver even greater value to our clients and guests.”
 
Sodexo Live! supports some of the UK’s most iconic music, cultural and sporting events, plus conference centres and airport lounges, by delivering world class hospitality and food services. Producing outstanding catering and event services, it serves some of the most prestigious venues across Britain, delivering amazing experiences that go beyond the remarkable food it creates. It supports some of the world’s most iconic sports clubs and stadia, with its decades of experience and a proven track record of creating exceptional moments that bring people together and transforming stadia into thriving, 365-day destinations.
 
In the UK Sodexo Live! is the culinary partner to Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Ascot Racecourse, Newcastle United FC, Emirates Old Trafford, Nottingham Forest FC to name but a few.

£21,200 Savoy Educational Trust funding for Toque d’Or® as Nestlé Professional issues final call for registrations #

The Savoy Educational Trust has pledged £21,200 to support the 38th edition of Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or, as part of a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of hospitality talent.

Participating colleges will benefit from prizes awarded at each stage of the competition to drive positive change across the industry.

These rewards include:

National Heats: 48 back and front-of-house competitors, £150 per student, totalling £7,200 across participating colleges

Grand Finals: 12 back and front-of-house competitors, £1,000 per student, totalling £12,000 awarded to all participating colleges

Winning Colleges: An additional £1,000 for the winning collegesThe prize money, awarded directly to participating colleges, must be redeemed through Russums for hospitality equipment, ensuring it directly benefits training and skills development.

For more details, please refer to our terms and conditions.

College lecturers have until Thursday 15 January to register their back and front-of-house students. With the deadline fast-approaching, Nestlé Professional is calling on lecturers to put their best students forward to be in with the chance of securing the prize money for their college.

To register their Level 2, 3 and 4 back and front-of-house students before Thursday 15 January, college lecturers should visit: www.nestleprofessional.co.uk/toque-dor

Louise Bawden, senior events and strategic partnership manager for Nestlé Professional, said:
“We’re thrilled to be working once again with the Savoy Educational Trust, whose funding allows us to elevate the Toque d’Or experience for students and colleges across the UK. As we approach the final registration deadline, now is the time for colleges to get involved. This competition goes far beyond the kitchen or restaurant floor, it’s an inspiring journey that blends creativity, cultural diversity and innovation, giving students the chance to challenge themselves, discover new perspectives and flourish in a real-world environment.”

Angela Maher, Chief Executive of The Savoy Educational Trust said:
“Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or plays a vital role in nurturing the next generation of hospitality talent and our continued investment ensures every college and student that reaches the key stages of the competition benefits directly from enhanced training and development opportunities.”

Bidfresh redefines its sustainability framework with the launch of a new vision and mission in its latest sustainability report #

Specialist fresh produce supplier, Bidfresh, has released its latest ‘Growing Greener’ sustainability report, unveiling a refreshed sustainability framework and a new mission and vision that will guide the business towards a more responsible and resilient future.

As sustainability expectations continue to rise across the industry, and 16% of consumers think that suppliers are responsible for ensuring eating out of home is sustainable, Bidfresh has provided its customers, teams and partners with clear, evidence-based insight into how it’s addressing environmental and social challenges across the supply chain.

Taking a more proactive approach, ‘Growing Greener’ showcases progress across Bidfresh’s three specialist brands, Direct Seafoods (fish and seafood), Campbell Brothers (meat and poultry) and R Noone & Sons (fresh produce), and its new vision: Caring for people, committed to responsible sourcing and delivering the best in foodservice.

Bidfresh is also developing its own Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) strategy and has taken an important step with the introduction of its first ‘Plan on a Page’, providing a clear and structured foundation to embed its ESG priorities across the business.
Through this framework, Bidfresh aims to reduce its environmental impact, support resilient UK farming and fishing communities, uphold ethical governance, and include transparent and traceable sourcing across all operations, setting a clear path to 2030 and beyond.

Key highlights include:

The introduction of an ‘Inclusion at Work’ and ‘Workplace Behaviour’ standard

Retaining the ASC and MSC Chain of Custody certification for all the seafood trading sites

Achieving a ‘Bronze’ medal by the EcoVadis sustainability assessment platform.

Valeria Potsinok, Sustainability Manager at Bidfresh, said: “Now in the second year of reporting, I’m so proud of the progress we’ve made, from advancing responsible sourcing and animal welfare to reducing waste and strengthening community initiatives across our regional sites. ‘Growing Greener’ will enable closer collaboration with our customers, helping them make informed menu and supplier decisions, while supporting their own ESG reporting.

“This year’s report also sheds light on our expanded training on Health & Safety and Diversity, Equality, Inclusion & Belonging, and our new route planning to reduce last-mile emissions.

“Yet, we know this journey is ongoing, and there is much more to do. Guided by our new vision: caring for people, committed to responsible sourcing and delivering the best in foodservice, we remain focused on building a fairer, more responsible and sustainable future for our people, customers, partners and the planet.”

Click here to read the latest ‘Growing Greener’ report: viewer.ipaper.io/bidcorp/bidfresh/growing-greener-bidfresh-sustainability-report-2025/?page=1

Festive flurry brings happy Christmas for pubs but restaurants and bars slip #

Like-for-like sales rise 4.8% for pubs in Christmas week

Restaurants down 1.1% and bars tumble 15.5%

New openings lift total growth above inflation
 
Festive celebrations helped Britain’s top managed pub operators to welcomed growth in the week of Christmas, the NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

Across all hospitality channels, managed operators achieved modest like-for-like growth of 1.2% in the seven days from 22 December.

Pubs’ like-for-like sales were up by 4.8% from the same week in 2024. The figure is well ahead of both Britain’s rate of inflation and the Tracker’s figures for most weeks of 2025. The uplift was driven by a surge in consumers heading out in the final days before Christmas and an uninterrupted run of bank holidays that gave people extended time off from midweek through to the weekend. This more favourable holiday pattern likely provided a stronger boost than Christmas Day openings.

However, the Hospitality Business Tracker - produced by NIQ, powered by CGA intelligence, in association with RSM - shows it was a much more challenging festive season in other areas of hospitality. Like for-like sales at managed restaurants in Christmas week were 1.1% down on the corresponding period in 2024, as many consumers tightened their spending on eating out. It ends a tough year for the restaurant sector, after negative year-on-year growth in 10 of the first 11 months. Bar groups were hit even harder, with a 15.5% fall in like-for-like sales.

Karl Chessell, director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA at NIQ, said: “Pubs’ real-terms growth in the week of Christmas shows how they remain a much-loved place for people to celebrate the festive season with families and friends. However, negative figures at restaurants and bars round out a very difficult year for many operators, and confidence is running low among consumers and business leaders alike. With cash reserves depleted and rates rises in the pipeline to add to a relentless burden of costs, the sector faces a challenging start to 2026.”

Saxon Moseley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK, said: “Festive trading mirrored the broader trends seen across 2025, with pubs reporting solid sales growth while restaurants and bars saw revenue contract year-on-year, leaving little to celebrate for these beleaguered segments of the market. With results failing to live up to expectations for many operators and a raft of cost increases scheduled for 2026, there will be real concern of further casualties on the high street in the coming months.” 

Lexington launches the UK’s first fully robotic barista at BT Snowhill #

Lexington, supported by Elior Vending, has launched the UK’s first fully robotic barista coffee counter at BT’s Snowhill office in Birmingham, marking a major step forward in automated, high-quality coffee service. 

This groundbreaking deployment marks a significant milestone in the evolution of automated coffee service technology, bringing greater consistency and quality to speciality drinks. The robotic barista surpasses traditional vending machines by incorporating a robotic arm that prepares and serves speciality coffee using a barista coffee machine with the skill and precision of a professional, human barista. Situated next to the traditional coffee counter, it reduces queues during peak periods, and its 24/7 functionality provides barista coffee out of hours.

Developed with input from a professional barista, the system reproduces bespoke recipes and techniques to ensure every drink meets premium coffee standards. It can produce up to 450 cups per day, delivers beverages in an average of 98 seconds and operates within a compact 5m² footprint.

The robot offers a comprehensive menu of hot and iced classics - from espressos to iced lattes - supported by cloud-based software for secure data management, remote menu updates, and real-time performance insights. Maintenance is simple, requiring only one hour per day and no specialist skills, enabling teams to manage multiple units with ease.

Sean Ritson, Divisional Director of Lexington Catering, part of Elior UK, said: "We are incredibly pleased to be working with GW Projects, to bring the UK’s first fully robotic barista coffee counter to life at BT Snowhill. The system represents the future of autonomous service, guaranteeing consistent, high-quality coffee and a fantastic experience for everyone on site.

“The adoption of this robotic technology also provides valuable support to our colleagues during busy periods, enabling them to focus on delivering a more personalised service to customers and undertaking higher-value activities for our client.”

Sarah Morrison, Catering, Events & Hospitality Manager from BT, said: “We’re very excited to be the first office in the UK to experience a robotic barista. It’s creating a real buzz amongst colleagues, and the feedback has been fantastic. People are not only impressed by the technology, but they also love the quality and consistency of the drinks it serves.”

Following the successful launch at Snowhill, Lexington intends to introduce robotic barista technology to additional BT sites across the UK, supporting BT’s drive for innovation and enhanced employee experience.