The annual gathering of hospital caterers from across the four nations took place this week on the south coast of England. Hosted by the Wessex Branch, the Hospital Caterers Association held its annual Leadership & Development Forum in Brighton. Facilitated by TV presenter and founder of The Naked Grocer, Chris Bavin, the Forum programme spanned a wide variety of food and nutrition-related topics, from the future role of AI and robots, to British sourcing, supporting the mental health of staff, food safety, different service models and a CEO’s view of the vital contribution of hospital caterers to patient recovery as well as the health and wellbeing of staff.
On the middle night of the event, the HCA celebrated its annual award winners at a black-tie dinner. HEFMA sponsored the Sustainability Award, which went to Mathieu Eke, Head of Facilities - Hotel Services, Simply Serve at Yeovil Hospital. In addition to installing an innovative heat recovery system that takes the heat from the walk-in freezer and turns it into hot water, sustainability initiatives have included reducing food waste through NHS England’s blue plate project, introducing a dewatering unit to facilitate repurposes food waste into compost or biogas energy, redistributing coffee ground for use as garden compost and introducing a plant-based straw that will work in hot drinks.
Also winning
The other award winners on the night were:
• Caterer of the Year: Erica Bell, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
• Catering Team of the Year: Medirest at South West London & St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust
• Rising Star: Kerrey Healey, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Leadership Excellence: Jo Fitzgerald, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Special Recognition: Maxine Cartz, Compass Group - Healthcare
• Wilma Wilkie Outstanding Service: Robert McLaughlin, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
• Chair’s Choice Award: Northern Ireland Branch
HCA leadership change
Concluding the 2026 Forum, outgoing National Chair, Iain Robertson handed over the chain of office to incoming Chair, Nicola Strawther. Vice-President Steward McKenzie also stood down, with former National Chair, Brian Robb stepping into the role.
Pictured l-r: Stewart McKenzie, HCA Vice President; Iain Robertson, HCA National Chair; Mathieu Eke, Head of Facilities – Hotel Services; Alison McCree, HCA Vice President; and David Moss, HEFMA National Chair
