Mark Hayman, vice president and former national chairman of the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) has been honoured at the Cost Sector Catering Awards, with the coveted public sector lifetime achievement award.
Hayman (pictured second to left) commented, “It was a shock to have won. I was sitting at the HCA table listening to the citation when I suddenly realised it was me. Naturally, I am very grateful to those who created the application that was considered worthy to win such a great award. It is a fantastic honour and a great surprise.
Whilst I may have been the only HCA winner on the night, there were plenty of HCA members on the shortlist. Being shortlisted is a fantastic achievement. Hopefully, next year they can go on to win.”
Hayman was recognised for his many years of tireless work and dedication in the public sector. This includes supporting the HCA and its members. Hayman spent more than 40 years in the NHS before retiring in December 2016. His roles included managing catering and hotel services, estates and facilities management, and purchasing clinical services for NHS England and local Commissioners.
During his career in the NHS, Hayman joined the HCA’s East Anglia Branch in 1978. Voluntarily, Hayman undertook all branch officer posts before becoming a council representative in 1985. Hayman was national chairman from 1992-1994, national secretary from 1994-1999, and has been vice president since 2010.
Craig Smith, HCA chairman said, “We are all delighted for Mark. His selfless work has been influential in this industry. Mark’s continued support for the HCA and our members is sincerely appreciated.”
This year, seven HCA members were amongst the Cost Sector Catering awards shortlist. These included Stewart McKenzie, HCA immediate past chairman and Nicola Strawther from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, both nominated for public sector award, and Nicola McIvor from NHS Ayrshire & Arran nominated for the healthcare award.
Iain Robertson from Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust was nominated for two awards, the care catering award and the healthcare award. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was nominated for three awards, consisting of, the healthcare award, innovation award and marketing award.
The Droplet Team (Hydration) including former HCA chairman Phil Shelley from Taunton & Somerset NHS Trust was shortlisted for the team of the year award and the Catering and Production Service Team from NHS Ayrshire & Arran was shortlisted for the PSC100 health & nutrition award.
The Cost Sector Catering awards is a key event in the catering and hospitality calendar. It was held at the Hilton London Metropole to more than 700 industry luminaries.