Elior UK CEO celebrates final year as Women of the Year chair with tea boxes


Leading contract caterer, Elior UK has toasted CEO Catherine Roe’s final year as chair of Women of the Year by supplying afternoon tea boxes to almost 400 virtual awards attendees.

Roe (pictured), who took up the chair position in 2018, this year addressed the audience of the 2020 Women of the Year awards virtually, owing to current lockdown restrictions. Despite the challenges, the Elior Foodsmiths team produced 378 afternoon tea boxes so the awards ‘lunch’ could still go ahead.

Elior created a bespoke afternoon tea box for guests including Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE, actress and television presenter; DJ Edith Bowman and Dame Esther Rantzen DBE, journalist and presenter.

Roe and the guests enjoyed a selection of goodies including mature cheddar cheese straws, glazed fruit scones and double chocolate brownie cake along with a selection of Brew Tea infusions and Thomas & Scott Organic Prosecco.

Women of the Year aims to celebrate the achievements of women of all backgrounds and this year, honours were given to women from fields including health, tech and music.

“It has been a privilege to chair this fantastic organisation that seeks out and honours exceptional women in every walk of life, some of whom will never have had the recognition for their achievements otherwise” said Elior UK CEO Catherine Roe.

As a national initiative, Women of the Year has championed women’s achievements for more than 60 years. The 2020 event saw Roe pass on the chair position to Lady Louise Fitzroy.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed being Women of the Year Chair, but sadly my three-year term has come to an end. I’m handing over to the wonderful Lady Louise Fitzroy who is utterly passionate about the organisation, and has a unique family connection to it, as she’s the granddaughter of our founder, Lady Tony Lothian,” finished Roe.