Triple Strength: TUCO Appoints Three new Regional Chairs

23rd October 2015

EAUC Platinum Sponsor, The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO), has announced the appointment of three new Regional Chairpersons, who will represent the interests of local members to the national group.

Julie Frost, Head of Catering Operations at the University of Reading; Jacqui McPeake, Head of Catering at Manchester Metropolitan University and Julie Tong, Head of Catering at the University of Exeter have all had their positions ratified and will take up position effective immediately. The trio have extensive knowledge of and experience in the industry and are keen to use their skills to encourage and inspire others through closer engagement with the broader membership of TUCO.

TUCO Regional Chairs are nominated and voted for by the wider membership, which is made up of catering professionals from top universities across the UK.  Regional Chairpersons' responsibilities range from ensuring that the interests of the wider membership are highlighted and that all members have access to TUCO information, training and resources to supporting local TUCO groups and individuals to drive innovation with funding and inspiration.

Regional Chairs are expected to embody the commitments of the organisation, which is committed to improving and advancing catering and hospitality teams and works tirelessly to provide quality standards, advice and information for those working in the Higher Education catering sector.

Welcoming the new members to their roles, TUCO Chair Julie Barker said:
"Our Regional Chairs have been pivotal in many of the changes we have made to TUCO, which has undergone a makeover in recent years to become a forward-thinking, innovative organisation which leads the way in finding solutions to 21st century challenges which face the catering industry as a whole and adds value to all members.

"Their experience ‘on-the-ground’ gives the national Board of Directors insight into what these issues really are, and are our ears and eyes within TUCO so we can always be sure that we truly understand the thoughts and feelings of our members.
I am delighted, therefore, to announce Julie, Jacqui and Julie as new Regional Chairs, and it gives me particular pleasure to champion three women.  We hear much in the media about inequality in the Boardroom but in an industry which employs so many women it is entirely appropriate that they should have roles at the most senior levels.

"I am absolutely certain that all three, alongside our existing Regional Chairs, will work ceaselessly to make TUCO an ever more successful organisation, at the heart of University Catering and providing leadership and support for all those in our industry.”

More information about TUCO is available here.