The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) has made three key appointments to its core team for 2014, supplementing last year’s announcements which included the appointment of the first TUCO Chief Operating Officer, Mike Haslin.
The TUCO Board also has two new members, further strengthening the organisations’ offering in relation to governance and research – the areas of Board responsibility for Exeter University’s Phil Rees-Jones – and sustainability, now in the portfolio of David Nuttall from Harper Adams University, who is also the new TUCO North West Regional Chair.
TUCO Chair and Director of Accommodation & Hospitality Services at Brighton University, Julie Barker, ratified the appointments to the Board and to the TUCO team. She commented on the investment and strength of the member organisations’ offering:
“TUCO is determined to enter its second half-century with a demonstrable show of strength and integration between the Board and the team. The people that make TUCO tick are our greatest asset in providing support and services to our members and suppliers – we are investing in the future and are incredibly optimistic about how TUCO will continue to grow and develop.”
Sustainability policy
In a newly created role, sustainability specialist Mandy Parr will be responsible for developing and implementing TUCO’s sustainability policy, in her position of category manager. Miss Parr also teaches sustainability for the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, and brings with her a wealth of experience in the Higher Education sector following six years as Procurement Officer for the University of Central Lancashire.
Frozen food contracts
The TUCO category management team is further strengthened by the appointment of Nicola Mellor, who will drive high value frozen food contracts. Mrs Mellor joins TUCO having worked closely with the organisation in her previous role and will be responsible for the TUCO tender for back office automation and e-procurement. Mrs Mellor is an expert in EU procurement law and has extensive experience operating in both the public and private sectors.
Learning and Development
Finally, Sue White has been appointed TUCO Learning and Development Manager. Mrs White has worked with TUCO for many years in a Consultants role, and will be adding structure and support to the L&D group as well as creating and implementing a range of training activities which complement and support our members varied roles.
New HQ
These new announcements come as TUCO also reveals it has moved Head Quarters to Central Manchester, which comes as part of the organisation’s investment programme following its rebrand in October 2013, which marked 50 years of operation. The new offices will not only offer the space for continued growth but also nods to a modern way of working which will define TUCO as it continues to develop its offering.
Speaking about the rapid changes Haslin commented: “We are delighted to be in a secure position, with an exceptional and experienced Board, to be able to make a number of changes to bring TUCO right up to date.
“The world is changing and we are adapting to it to ensure that both members and suppliers get the very most out of the relationship. As such we are recruiting some of the top talent in the sector as part of a wider investment drive, and are very pleased to welcome Mandy and Nicola into the team, as well as supporting Sue as she expands her role to offer a much needed resource.”
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