Leading independent London caterer, Vacherin has appointed Zoe Stennett-Cox as its Sustainability & CSR Lead as it prepares to build on its award-winning initiatives that innovate in three areas where it can make a lasting societal impact: food; environment; and community.
Stennett-Cox has a background in sustainability in the utilities industry - with Anglian Water Services - and at the Environment Agency. Additionally she holds an MSc in Environmental Social Science from the University of Kent. She replaces Anthony Kingsley, who is returning to his native USA to be closer to his family and she will report to Simon Macfarlane Director | Head of Operations at Vacherin.
Her challenge is to enhance the reputation that Vacherin has earned as a business that shows how the foodservice industry can combine commercial success with a deepening commitment to sustainability.
Last year Vacherin’s turnover exceeded £15m for the first time - while it simultaneously improved on a wide range of sustainability metrics. For example it: converted over 1,500kg of coffee grounds and 10,000 litres of rapeseed oil to biofuel; served over 3,000kg of I’mPerfect cosmetically rejected fruit and vegetables; and removed 4,700g of salt, 15,000g of saturated fat and 21,000g of sugar from its meals when compared to high street brands.
Examples of innovation in these areas include: launching the ‘Nutritious and Delicious’ healthy eating range; forming a partnership with coffee-recycler Bio-Bean; and helping employees undertake volunteering projects with charity The Luminary Bakery. Vacherin has gathered a string of awards as a result, including: a Sustainable Restaurant Association Three Star rating; has scored Top 10 in The Sunday Times ‘Best Companies to Work For’ list; and was rated Top 20 in The Alix Partners Foodservice Growth Report.
Head of Operations, Simon Macfarlane said, “We are delighted to welcome Zoe onto our team and look forward to seeing her build on the excellent work that Anthony has pioneered. While we continue to trade successfully our commitments also make a lasting contribution to society, to our communities and to the planet. We always stay one step ahead of our competitors - particularly in the CSR field - and Zoe is the perfect person to take our initiatives onto the next level.”