The University Caterers Organisation, TUCO has announced that Matthew White will become its chair from September.
White, currently director of catering, hotel & conference services at The University of Reading, has been one of TUCO's directors for three years and held the role of vice chair for the past two years.
The current chair, Julie Barker, will be stepping down after five years of overseeing the board management and being the public face for TUCO. She remains in her role as director of accommodation & hospitality for The University of Brighton and will continue to sit on the TUCO Board.
White said, “TUCO is at an incredibly important point in its progression and I am enormously excited by the next phase of its development, and the work that the board will be undertaking in the next few years to build on the momentum secured to date.
“Julie has been a powerful force alongside the TUCO Board in evoking change and I would like to personally thank her for everything that she has done over the past five years.'
He continued, “She has been instrumental in the growth of TUCO and the developments to transform and modernise the organisation to offer genuine value to our members, as well as taking our unique procurement frameworks - which represent incredible value - and offer these to the broader public sector.
“TUCO members are some of the most talented caterers in the country providing for diverse and multi-faceted needs across international audiences. They are right at the forefront of trends and insights into the future of foodservice, working with the consumers of tomorrow.'
White concluded, “Together with the board, I will be working tirelessly to advance the learning and development of catering and hospitality teams in line with emerging trends and changes.”