ACE Robyns Alumni 2016

2016 Winner
Leanne Findley
Sodexo
Leanne Findley
Sodexo
My current role with Sodexo is Account Manager in Aviation UK. Responsible for Airport Lounge Operations, my client portfolio consists of Emirates at Glasgow, Manchester and London Gatwick, Virgin Holidays at Manchester, Gulf Air, Qatar and Malaysia Airlines at London Heathrow, Upper Deck Lounge at Glasgow Airport, plus various FM contracts at UK Airports. I also support business development globally with tenders, presentations and mobilisations.

My ambition for the future is to continue our rapid growth in aviation business within the UK and globally, grow and develop our Aviation teams across the aviation world internationally!

Together Everyone Achieves More.
Holly Brown
BaxterStorey
Holly Brown
BaxterStorey
I am currently project managing the reduction in subsidy for one of our London group contracts as part of a 5 year extension, redeveloping the brand across the estate with a streamlined offer to allow for efficiencies within the budget. This project aims to save the client 50% on their current subsidy. I will then move onto our Greenwich University contract as Group Manager reporting into our Head of Universities. I would like to become an Operations Manager as I have a passion for developing my team, and supporting our client initiatives while ensuring we deliver excellent food and service.
Hannah Carmichael
bartlett mitchell
Hannah Carmichael
bartlett mitchell
As Bid Manager, I’m both a bid writer and sales project manager. I work closely with our sales team to channel bartlett mitchell’s ideas, culture and vision into persuasive, compelling sales collateral – EOIs, tenders, presentations etc. An integral part of the process is understanding and collating case studies and examples from the operators, catering teams and head office to demonstrate our abilities and provide the ‘Why bartlett mitchell’ evidence. I’m also an active member of the marketing and CSR teams.

Ambitions for the future - In addition to supporting the sales function, I’m looking to expand my role and influence within the CSR team, taking on a more proactive, forward facing role and championing new initiatives in the company and industry.
Paulina Ciecielag
ISS
Paulina Ciecielag
ISS
My current role is the delivery of exceptional service for my client, colleagues and team. I achieve this by maintaining a strong, knowledgeable, motivated team and this is my main focus at the moment. Through developing my skills as a leader I develop my team which is a manifestation of my success.

My ambition for the future is to continue growing, be better, learn more and help the people around me to succeed. I’m very fortunate to have a great mentor who is encouraging my development as a manager and person. Ultimately I want to lead a business like ISS.
Ryan Davies
BaxterStorey
Ryan Davies
BaxterStorey
I am fortunate to oversee 12 incredible locations across the South West, growing a team of talented entrepreneurial managers and privileged to have a loyal brigade of gifted chefs who make excellent use of our fabulous rural suppliers. I love the passion from my talented Barista’s, who work with local roasters and produce exceptional coffee consistently.

Where our industry is becoming more commercial with tighter budgets and bigger challenges, I am honoured to have the opportunity in developing the next generation in our sector; I hope to invest in my team as much as BaxterStorey has invested in me.
Gregory Hall
Lexington
Gregory Hall
Lexington
Gregory Hall, Operations Manager is responsible for multiple B&I catering contracts, totalling £6.3m turnover across the portfolio.

Gregory manages 13 client contracts, from finance and insurance businesses to law firms, all of which vary massively in terms of their demands. As part of his role he regularly meets with each of the onsite teams and each client. It is his role to manage monthly meetings and ensure the team is meeting objectives, continually innovating and providing added value. His medium term goal is to become an Operations Director with a view to strive forward to become a Managing Director and perhaps Chief Executive Officer!
Ming Lai
Restaurant Associates
Ming Lai
Restaurant Associates
Currently the acting National Account Manager within Restaurant Associates largest group contract covering 22 locations for KPMG. Accountable for circa £20m in revenue, I manage all catered services inclusive of employee dining services, hospitality services, fine dining, vending, event services and guest services, including reception and reservations on a national scale.

My ambitions for the foreseeable future are to continue to grow this contract for Restaurant Associates across all service streams and ensure retention is guaranteed. Furthermore, I aim to be a growing key figure in the industry setting trends and opportunities within the world of corporate catering.
Emma Langford
Lexington
Emma Langford
Lexington
In my role as People Manager, I oversee HR for approx. 1,500 employees across 100 Lexington and Elior sites within London and the South East. I work closely with the management teams to advise on all people-related activity from learning & development to employee relations. I also oversee a number of initiatives to continually drive talent retention, recognition and overall engagement. Ultimately, everything I do aims to embed our core values and nurture our friendly, inclusive culture.

I would love to eventually become an HR Director, successfully leading a team and driving a culture which encourages innovation, engagement & fun!
Henry Maasdorp
Blue Apple Contract Catering
Henry Maasdorp
Blue Apple Contract Catering
As Catering Manager of a busy unit, it is imperative that I maintain a solid, hands on approach in every area of the business. Supporting my team to deliver the best possible standards and driving them and the business to constantly exceed clients and customer expectations. Developing my team members to be competent and confident in delivering the best customer service journey. An important factor is building and maintaining client relationships as well as relationships with directors, CEO’s and Executives on a daily basis. My role requires me to create and develop menus for daily operation as well as working hospitality lunches and bespoke VIP lunches, working within and managing the budgets and food margins.

My ambitions for the future would be to be able to take on a senior management role within the company that also gives me the opportunity to have direct operational input and to be able to lead teams to deliver our Blue Apple standards.
Louisa Matthews
Sodexo
Louisa Matthews
Sodexo
After leaving my previous role at Eton College as Junior Sous Chef, I took on my current job role in May of last year at Wycombe Abbey Girls’ School. I currently head up the hospitality and fine dining section as the Senior Sous Chef, supported by the kitchen brigade and under the watchful eye of Renee Yarshon, the Executive Chef. I cater for a number of different events and functions, big and small, ranging from canapés and fine dining dinners to weddings and whole school fun fairs. As you can see the job is truly varied, and I love that it comes with such a wide scope in which I can get so creative.

I hope to one day move on to teaching. I know that I had such enthusiasm for all things food as a child and young teen, and I think it would be a very rewarding to help educate other children or teenagers and encourage them to love food just as much as I do.
Paul Matthews
Vacherin
Paul Matthews
Vacherin
My present role at Fieldfisher with Vacherin is Head Chef. I've been with Vacherin for just over two years now opening the hospitality for this establishment from the beginning in April 2014. This is my first role as a Head Chef in Corporate Dining, it has been ten years this year since I started as an apprentice with Restaurant Associates, aged just 17.

I have always envisioned being a restaurant owner in the future, but as I've progressed in the industry I've started to realise how much of a monumental task this may be financially and competitively in London. Regardless of the task it has never put me off, I'm very proud of what I do. I will stay conscientious, continuing to learn and build a successful platform for myself and contribute to the future of the industry, leaving my options open for the right path.
Emma Shutler
Lexington
Emma Shutler
Lexington
I've been very lucky in my short career, presented with opportunities that people wait a lifetime for and each opportunity I have grasped with both hands.

My present role is no exception, as an Operations Support Manager I work with 12 contracts, developing the sites and managers, continually striving for higher standards, better results and efficiencies. I continue to learn and develop from my Senior Operations Manager and the leadership team.

My ambitions for the future are to continue developing myself whilst helping others to grow. I want to become an industry leader and an inspiration to women in business.