In association with the Catering Managers Association of Great Britain and the Channel Islands

OCS Catering appoints new managing director

OCS is pleased to announce that David Brown has recently been appointed as the divisional managing director for the Catering division.
David joins OCS from Compass Group, where he held the post of regional managing director. He has enjoyed a number of positions in operations and sales within the hospitality industry over the past twenty five years after beginning his career as a Chef.
Graham Gilbert, OCS Integrated Services managing director said “David’s experience of successfully developing and maintaining profitable business will strengthen our position in the industry and we look forward to working with him.”
OCS Catering operates at more than 170 sites across the UK from airports and corporate HQ’s to hospitals and clinics. The company has grown rapidly in recent years through its ability not only to interpret the client’s brief but also to recognise the needs and values of those who use its facilities.
For more information please contact: Steph Maher, OCS. Tel: 01524 595526. Fax: 01524 595755
Email: stephanie.maher@ocs.co.uk. www.ocs.co.uk

First and Foremost

The Project First Group acquires Denman Facilities Ltd
Project First Ltd is pleased to announce that as part of its ongoing expansion programme, and consolidation within the market sector, it has acquired a third company within four months, Denman Facilities Ltd, based in Reigate. Previous companies acquired this year are G H England and Red Kite.
Denman Facilities Ltd, a well-established refrigeration, service and maintenance company with a current annual turnover of £12 million, and a customer base that includes Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Boots and Somerfield, complements Project First’s aims and profile, fitting well into the structure of this fast growing, forward thinking Group.
Two of Denman FM’s existing Directors, David Brooks and Nic Lomas, will now manage the company under its new name, Project First Facilities Management Ltd, reporting directly to Project First’s Managing Director, Mark Stratford, while the existing work force of approximately 175 staff is to be retained.
Commenting on the acquisition, Stratford said: “I am delighted at the continued growth of the Project First group of companies. By acquiring a dedicated Facilities Maintenance business we can now offer a more complete package to both current and potential customers. With this in mind, it is Project First’s intention to invest in all aspects of this new business in order to strengthen its position in the market place.”
Based in Milton Keynes, Project First is now one of the UK’s leading refrigeration, project management and contracting companies, having grown from a staff of just three employees in 2001 to 280 today. Turnover has also grown – up from £12M for year ending 2005, to £33M (a rise of 275%). The outlook is exceptionally bright with turnover predicted to increase to £70M by 2009/10.
For further information please contact Project First on 0870 331750
Email info@project1st.com. www.project1st.com

New executive chef on the menu for 7 Day Catering

National independent contract caterer, 7 Day Catering is pleased to announce the appointment of John Sluman as executive chef for the company.
John has for a number of months been working at 7 Day Catering’s restaurant at Lime Pictures, the Merseyside based television production company founded by Brookside producer Phil Redmond. His work at the Liverpool site has helped to build the business, through new menu ideas and staff development.
Prior to joining 7 Day Catering, John has had a varied and experienced career and brings with him a wealth of knowledge. Having worked in Australia and France, he eventually returned to the UK, to work at the Michelin star Chester Grosvenor where he was sous chef and also deputised for the head chef in his absence.
Whilst maintaining the standards of the Michelin star restaurant, he was also involved in providing a number of VIP functions and private dining for Lord Derby at Knowsley Hall in Liverpool.
In his new role as executive chef he will be focussing on 7 Day Catering’s Healthy 4U offering, developing new and existing business, working alongside the sales team, and staff training and development as well as planning new menus and initiatives. Moreover, he will be working closely to develop existing and new VIP and event catering facilities.
Commenting on his new role, John said: “I’m keen to introduce new produce and ideas to enable 7 Day Catering to develop in the future. I am passionate about top quality food and local produce, and am keen to innovate and find exciting new ways to present them to the customer.
“My personal aim for the future of the company is to continue improving the quality and standard of the food that we offer our customers. Introducing new menu ideas while encouraging staff training and development and also eventually heading up a team of executive chefs that can help develop new and existing business.”
For further information visit: www.7daycatering.co.uk.

Flying high at The Compasses, Pattiswick.

 “Appointing a new Head Chef is an exciting way to start 2008” says Jono Clark, managing director of The J C Group comprising The Compasses at Pattiswick and The Swan at Felsted.
Building on a successful year in 2007, during which The Compasses was awarded a place in the prestigious Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide 2008, Alec Maxfield has joined the team.
Both The Swan and The Compasses enjoy the ability to source local produce and develop seasonal menus. Alec says “It’s important we remember that The Compasses is set in the heart of the country and our menus need to reflect the diversity of game and local produce that surrounds us.” Keen to extend the fish selection, Alec has introduced a fish specials board, focusing heavily on the excellent supplies available from the Essex coastline.
Gary Stephens, Head Chef at The Swan at Felsted, says “It is a pleasure to have another likeminded chef on the team. We run ideas past each other and share details of local suppliers. Alec brings some exciting experience with him and the entire team is benefitting.”

Hubbard Ice Systems Appoints Technical & Aftercare Manager

Hubbard Ice Systems is pleased to announce the promotion of Mark Stebbings to Technical & Aftercare Manager.
Mark has been a part of the Hubbard Ice Systems team for 8 years and his expertise in Sales & Technical Support made him the perfect candidate for the role.
Previously Mark spent 12 years working as a Supervisor for Hubbard Ice Systems’ sister company, which at the time was just called Hubbard, travelling around the country working on Refrigeration Packs at such supermarket giants as Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Safeway.
Mark has two children aged 16 and 14 and a partner, Helga, with whom he enjoys travelling to sunny destinations. His other interests include golf, all sorts of music and relaxing after a hard day at the office with a glass of wine.
The role of Technical & Aftercare Manager became vacant following the sudden death of Technical Manager Trevor Fellowes who passed away at his home in Guildford last November. Trevor was a highly respected refrigeration engineer who had worked for Hubbard Ice Systems for the last 12 years.
Mark comments that “Trevor had such an in depth knowledge of our industry teamed with a wonderful sense of humour, which makes him a big act to follow. I aspire to know even half as much as Trevor learned in his career but I will certainly try my best to serve Hubbard as well as he did.
“My time working alongside Trevor and serving under Commercial Director Chris Davis has given me the springboard to continue the quality service that Hubbard Ice provides to all of our customer base, from large national corporations right through to the all important one man firms.”